For an inexperienced Washington team, last nights 49-45 overtime win over Eddyville-Blakesburg gave them more than enough to experience.

It was not the prettiest game by the Demons, but they found a way to stay resilient and grab the win, despite playing behind most of the game.

In the first quarter Washington led most of the way through, before a nine point rally by the Rockets made it a 13-10 score after one. In the second quarter the Demons were down 20-16 at the half, and needed a big third quarter to come back and grab the win, and that is exactly what happened.

In the third quarter Washington buckled down and started draining some shots to tie it up after three quarters at 27. In the fourth the Demons and Rockets got into the double bonus late and it looked as though Eddyville-Blakesburg was going to run away with it, but Washington battled back once more, down two in the final minute of play, the Demons kept scoring and forced the game into overtime tied at 43.

The overtime period would not have a whole lot of scoring, but quite a few trips to the free throw line. As the lead shifted from the Demons having it to being tied up about midway through, the Demons finally got a safe distance by making the free throws they needed and sneaking out with an opening win 49-45.

Demon head coach Phil Long said it was not the prettiest display of shooting, but a win is a win.

“I think 9-3 early we had them down, and then they went on a 9-0 run, we’re down 12-9 and we trail the rest of the day,” Long said. “With 54 seconds left we’re still down four, so I was telling the kids lets keep firing away, just keep working. I think [Eddyville-Blakesburg] ran out of gas, and their legs got tired, obviously they air balled four free throws down the stretch which were big for us, and fortunately the clock honked and we were the winner.”

Washington went 16-33 at the free throw line, and had a majority of their shots from three-point range. The leading scorer for Washington was Grace Redlinger with 18 points on the night, followed by Dema Giardino with 15.

The next game for the Demons will be on Saturday, when Washington plays WACO for the Iowa Hall of Pride game. The entry fee for this game is two non-perishable food items, and passes will not be accepted into this game.