Bolivar finishes strong against Jays (Rebroadcast Available)

Click here to listen to rebroadcast of the game

Bolivar took care of a fourth-quarter lead, hitting 12-of-16 free throws in the final period of a 55-44 Central Ozark Conference basketball contest with visiting Marshfield High School on Friday.

The Liberators improved to 7-8 overall and 3-2 in the league with the win. Marshfield is now 8-8 overall and still looking for a COC win.

Bolivar led 39-37 after three period, and extended the lead with quick baskets by Luke Harris and Ryan Toombs in the fourth quarter. The Liberators then forced Marshfield to foul, and made the most of their free throw opportunities to hold on to that lead.

Bolivar made 20-of-28 free throws in the game and 16-of-39 field goals, including 3-of-10 shots from 3-point land.

Marshfield made just 3-of-5 free throws and hit 19-of-46 field goals, including 3-of-12 3-point shots.

Jordan McCrimmon, a 6-5 senior post, scored 6 points and blocked 2 shots in the first period, helping Bolivar take a 14-10 lead.

The Liberators hit 4-of-5 field goals and 7-of-8 free throws in the second period, but Marshfield’s senior guard Kelby Phelps scored 7 points in the quarter to keep Marshfield close. It was 29-24 Bolivar at the half.

Phelps scored 7 more points in the third period, and Marshfield hit 6-of-9 field goals as a team, cutting the Bolivar lead to 39-37.

Phelps finished with 16 points with 2 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a blocked shot.

Justin Jones, a 6-0 senior forward, hit 6-of-7 shots in the game, scoring 12 points with 4 rebounds, a steal and a block for Marshfield.

Nathan VanDiggelen added 5 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals to the Blue Jays attack.

Cameron Keenan scored 4 points for Marshfield, handing out a game-high 5 assists with 3 rebounds and a steal in the contest.

Alex Bartow scored 4 points for the Blue Jays with 2 rebounds in the game.

Justin Drane hit a trey and pulled down 3 rebounds for the Blue Jays.

Charlie Williams blocked a game-high 6 shots for the Marshfield defense, pulling down 6 rebounds and handing out an assist in the game.

Jordan Jones pulled down 2 rebounds and Derek Welch had a rebound for Marshfield.

Bolivar featured a balanced attack, led by Luke Harris, a 6-1 senior guard. Harris scored 16 points with 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a blocked shot in the game.

McCrimmon finished with 10 points, 8 rebounds, a steal and 3 blocked shots for the Liberators.

Preston Guiot also scored 10 points for the winners with 3 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 assists in the contest.

Phillip Davolt scored 9 points, all on free throws, with 2 rebounds and a steal for the Liberators.

Ryan Toombs led the Bolivar defense with 4 steals, scoring 10 points with 2 rebounds, 2 assists and a blocked shot in the contest.