Prairie 56, Auburn-Mountainview 54 — The Prairie Falcons are clutch.
The Falcons made 11 of 14 free throws in the fourth quarter to save their season, holding off Auburn-Mountainview in an opening round game in the Class 3A bi-district boys basketball tournament.
Nathan Cherzan scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Falcons. Ryan Denny added 14 points. Denny was 8 of 9 from the line in the final eight minutes.
Reece Burnett buried a 3-pointer late in the game to give the Falcons a seven-point lead. Soon after, he made two free throws to keep Prairie in control.
Prairie will face Decatur on Friday in the quarterfinals. A win there will advance the Falcons to regionals. A loss on Friday would send Prairie into the loser’s bracket with one more chance to advance.
