Vaqueros top South Tahoe in overtime to reach region semifinals

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

The Fernley High School boys basketball team rallied from a 16-point deficit in the third quarter and beat South Tahoe 67-59 in overtime Thursday night in the first round of the Northern 3A League Tournament in Elko.

The Vaqueros advanced to the semifinals, where they will face Elko at 8 p.m. tonight.

Ferley played from behind for most of the game. South Tahoe jumped ahead by as much as 16-5 in the first quarter, and led 24-8 in the second quarter.

Fernley cut the margin to 30-24 at halftime, but South Tahoe opened the second half much like the first, with an 11-1 run for a 41-25 lead.

But Fernley continued to trim the margin, finally pulling within 49-48. The Vaqueros tied the game at 51, then took a 53-51 lead, but South Tahoe scored to tie the game at 53 and send it to overtime.

The lead changed hands four times to begin overtime, but Fernley took a 59-57 lead and never trailed again.