Bernie, Missouri -The Bernie Mules fought a hard battle against the defending state champions Oran defeating the Eagles 60 - 59 at The Barn.
The Oran boys basketball team defeated Crane 70-63 at Mizzou Arena to win the Missouri Class 2 State Championship in March of 2017.
"Big win for us," commented Bernie head boys basketball coach Brad Botsch. "Oran is a very good basketball team that is a tough match-up for us with their outstanding guard play."
"With us having only six kids dressed to play due to injuries, I thought our kids really rose to the occasion and gutted out a very tough win," continued Botsch. "I am really proud of our kids, and we must continue to find ways to win despite the current adversity. It sure doesn't get any easier as we have Advance, Notre Dame, and Dexter coming up."
Half of the Mules scored in double digits. Blake Harty #10 led the team with 20 points including six 3-pointers.
Michael #11 Suiter tallied 18 points and Nate Dillinger #23 finished with 17 points. Both had a trey each.
Oran led at the end of the first quarter 19-12 and at the half the Mules were within one poin 31-30.
The Mules overtook the Eagles in the 3rd quarter scoring 21 points and holding them to just 11 points.
Jacob Shoemaker tallied a game-high 27 points including three treys. Cole Priggel finished with 11 points for the Eagles.
Final Score Bernie 60, Oran 59
Bernie 12 18 21 9 - 60
Oran 19 12 11 17 - 59
Bernie (60) - Blake Harty 20, Michael Suiter 18, Josh Ellenburg 5, Nate Dillinger 17. FG 26, FT 0/2, F 14. (3-pointers: Harty 6, Ellenburg 1, Dillinger 1. Fouled Out: None).
Oran (59) - Jacob Shoemaker 27, Layne Johnson 6, Cole Priggel 11, Todd Priggel 7, Drew Riechmann 8. FG 21, FT 14/15, F 12. (3-pointers: Shoemaker 3. Fouled Out: None).
Final JV Score Bernie 37, Oran 58
Vaughn had 18 points.
The JV Mules are now 6-2 for the season.
The Mules will host Advance on Friday, January 5, 2018 with JV playing at 6 p.m. and the varsity to follow.
Bernie High School Project Prom will have a Chili Supper fundraiser on Friday, January 5, 2018 from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the Bernie High School cafeteria prior to the games.
