Pike Central outscored visiting Harlan 17-5 in overtime on Friday to claim an 89-77 win and hand Harlan its first loss of the season.
The game was tied 72-72 at the end of regulation. Jaylen Rigdon scored 11 points and Josh Du Toit added six for Pike Central.
Du Toit, a senior guard, powered the Hawks with 35 points. Rigdon, a freshman guard, scored 24 points. Junior center Kasope Lawrence poured in 19 points.
Junior guard Jordan Akal led the Green Dragons with 32 points. Junior forward William Austin scored 15, while Jaedyn Gist added 12. Kyler and Kaleb McLendon tossed in nine points apiece.
Akal scored 10 points in the first quarter, but Pike Central led 19-18 after one period..
Du Toit fired in 11 points in the second period as the Hawks led 34-33 at halftime.
Akal had eight points and Gist added five in the third quarter as the Green Dragons took a 53-52 lead after three quarters.
Lawrence added nine points for the Hawks in the third period.
DuToit nailed a trio of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. Akal and Austin had six points each for Harlan in the period.
Pike Central hit 20 of 26 free throws. Harlan connected on 10 of 15.
The Green Dragons will have a busy week ahead with four games, including two district games. Harlan (6-1) plays host to Bell County on Monday, visits Lynn Camp on Tuesday, travels to Barbourville on Thursday and returns home to face Harlan County on Friday.
Pike Central (5-2) plays host to Perry Central tonight and Cordia on Monday.
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Pike Central 89, Harlan 77 (OT)
Harlan (77) – Jordan Akal 32, Kaleb McLendon 9, Kyler McLendon 9, Jaedyn Gist 12, William Austin 15, Trey Barnes 0.
Pike Central (89) – Josh Du Toit 35, Jaylen Rigdon 24, Kasope Lawrence 19, Bryce Adkins 5, Latee Childress 4, Peyton Compton 2.
Harlan 18 15 20 19 05 – 77
Pike Central 19 15 18 20 17 – 89
3-point goals: Harlan 8 (Akal 4, Kaleb McLendon 3, Austin 1), Pike Central 8 (Du Toit 5, Rigdon 2, Lawrence 1). Fouled out: Harlan (Kyler McLendon).