Perry watched ADM rally from a 16-point deficit to force overtime Friday, but rallied in the extra period to post a 70-62 in Raccoon River Conference play.
The Bluejays (5-12, 3-7) had defeated the Tigers (3-12, 0-10), 59-45, Dec. 15 in Adel and appeared to be on their way to a second win by a similar margin. The Tigers had other ideas.
Perry was seemingly in control from the beginning, racing to a 25-10 lead after one quarter and holding a 33-23 edge at the intermission. The lead swelled to 51-35 in the third period, but the Tigers went on a 9-2 run to close the frame and draw with 53-44 entering the fourth quarter.
Within five minutes the guests had trimmed their deficit to 55-54, then received clutch foul shooting from Dalton Hews in the final seconds of regulation to help force overtime with the teams tied at 59-all.
Perry’s Rashon Ivory and Brendan Ivory had both fouled out in the fourth quarter, so the hosts turned to senior Drew Levan, who scored six consecutive points to offset a Tiger free throw as the Jays surged to a 65-60 lead.
Senior guard Michael Meyer had not even taken a shot in the game when he was sent to the foul line twice. He calmly sank the three of four from the stripe to help open a 68-62 lead, with two Connor Nielsen free throws securing the victory, which snapped a five-game skid for Perry.
The game was dubbed “Coaches vs. Cancer” night, and several activities were held in conjunction with the theme. Kirk VanKirk addressed the crowd between games on his own personal battle with cancer, urging those who knew someone with the disease to serve as sources of support. A bucket brigade collected donations for the fight against cancer, with wristbands sold for a $1 donation.
Koby Hardcastle led ADM with 19 points, with Hews adding 15 points and Caleb Herrick 12. Rylan Heffernan provided six points, Micah Moyer and Lucas Heitz four points apiece and Zachary Ferguson two.
Levan lead all scorers with 24 points. Rashon Ivory tallied 16 points and Nielsen 15, with Brendan Ivory adding six points. Three points apiece from Meyer, Mark Campos and Tanner Duffy closed the Bluejay scoring ledger.
Perry returns to action Tuesday with a visit from Winterset, with Perry traveling to Ballard Friday.
