Bloomfield, Missouri -  The Bulldogs vs the Bulldogs!  Van Buren and Portageville went head to head in a battle that seemed to be all Portageville until the fourth quarter when Van Buren came alive. 

The Bulldogs of Portageville led early on and ended the first quarter with a five-point lead.  At the end of the first half, Van Buren had narrowed the margin to just one point.  The Portageville Bulldogs were ahead 26 – 25.

Van Buren lost steam quickly in the 3^rd quarter as the Portageville Bulldogs increased their lead by 14 points and outscored them 23 – 9.  Score at the end of the 3^rd quarter was 47 – 35 with Portageville with a comfortable lead.

What happened next is anyone's guess.  Van Buren came alive and tied the game 50 - 50.  A couple of fouls on Portageville and Van Buren took advantage taking the lead with just 44 seconds remaining.  Increasing the lead by 4.  Portageville fans were on their feet screaming defense.  A time out was called and the crowd fell silent!

With just 6.4 seconds left on the clock a 3-pointer by Portageville and it was a one point game.  Van Buren just needed to hold onto the ball and they would win.  A foul sent them to the line adding two points.  With just 1/2 second left on the clock, Van Buren Throws it long and the buzzer sounds!  Van Buren wins by three!

Final Score Van Buren 59 Portageville 56

Van Buren     10   16     9   24   -  59

Portageville   15     9   23      9   - 56

Van Buren (59) – Austin Chilton 4, Zach Griffin 11, Mathew Shrontz 2, Tyler Griffin 24, Ricky Davis 18. FG 21, FT 13/17, F12 (3-pointers: Zach Griffin, Tyler Griffin, Fouled Out: none) 

Portageville (56) – Fradreico Walton, Jaylin Mosby 2, Chris Garmon 2, Derrick Priggel 10, A.V. Banks 26, Caleb Gooch 2, FG 22, FT 4/12, F 19 (3-pointers: Fradreico Walton 3, A.V. Banks 5, Fouled Out: Caleb Gooch)

Van Buren will play Puxico at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 28th.