The Perry boys defeated Ballard in overtime Friday night 71-66 to earn their 4th consecutive win and keep their Raccoon River Conference championship hopes alive. Rashon Ivory’s layup with 20 seconds to go forced overtime with the two teams tied at 60. Ballard’s Cade Wilson scored the initial field goal but Perry took the lead for good 30 seconds later thanks to a Brandon Kenyon three-point basket. Kenyon finished with three 3-point baskets in the second half. The Jays sealed the overtime win at the free throw line connecting on 6-8 in the extra session. Connor Nielsen, Janier Puente and Kyle Nevitt all hit 2 free throws in the extra four minutes.
Despite fouling out early in the overtime session, Ivory led the Bluejays with 17 points while Puente added 15 despite sitting the entire second quarter with foul trouble. Nevitt finished with 14 and both Nielsen and Kenyon added 10.
Perry improves to 9-6 on the year and 7-4 in the RRC while Ballard falls to 6-11 and 4-8. Perry returns to action Saturday with a 12 noon non conference game with Ogden. Perry host Boone in a critical conference game Tuesday night. Boone defeated Carroll Friday night to maintain their first place lead in the RRC.