Acalanes won a double overtime thriller over the California Grizzlies , 64-61, in the Dougherty JV Tournament consolation bracket Wednesday morning. They had to overcome a bunch of obstacles to do it.

With front court mates and leading scorers Joe Reidenbach and Jaden McClane both spending most of the game in serious foul trouble, Acalanes needed a change up. Finding themselves behind 41-33 with just 4 minutes to play in regulation, Coach Herley moved to his “speed lineup” and put in place a full court press. It was exactly the spark that Acalanes needed.

Ian Salmon had a steal and assist to a streaking Liam Krackeler for a layup, and moments later converted an old-fashioned 3-point play to close the deficit to 2 points. In the last 30 seconds Liam Krackeler had a put back layup to tie the game at 41 and force OT.

In the first overtime Cooper Edelman catalyzed his team with points in the paint, but the Dons still couldn’t shake the determined Grizzlies, remaining tied 49-49 at the buzzer.

In the second overtime the Dons jumped ahead on Liam Krackeler’s 3 pointer, and then Ian Salmon and Cooper Edelman hit all their free throws down the stretch to hold on for the 64-61 victory. Ian and Cooper were 10 for 10 from the charity stripe in the two overtimes, and that clutch shooting proved to be the difference.

It was a hard fought game through 3 quarters, with the Grizzlies taking an early lead and Acalanes slowly fighting their way back. The Dons took their first lead of the game 31-30 late in the 3rd quarter, but the Grizzlies quickly went on an 11-0 run to push their lead back up to 8 points before the Dons changed gears in the closing minutes.

Cooper Edelman and Ian Salmon led Acalanes in scoring with 16 points each, and Liam Krackeler contributed 12 points and 6 assists. Jaden McLane led the team with 10 boards. Edelman, Mathew Bacon, and Joe Reichenbach grabbed with 5 rebounds apiece and Liam Gallacher snagged 4 rebounds to go along with 4 points.