Martin used a tenacious zone defense to shut down a fast start by visiting Watervliet and went on to claim its second triumph overall this season Friday night, 51-43.
The visiting Panthers came out strong in the first three minutes, nailed a couple of three-point baskets and another two-point field goal before the home team called timeout and regrouped. Led by junior Collin Coburn, the Clippers outgunned their opponents 16-1 for the rest of the quarter, with Coburn nailing a baseline shot just before the buzzer to stake his teammates to a 16-9 advantage.
Martin was able to extend the lead to nine, 22-13, before Davis King and Kenneth Russell drilled consecutive threes to close the gap. But Mitchell Jager was able to answer and the home team enjoyed a 10-point 29-19 lead at intermission.
Travis Thorne, a first-year senior started the second half with a three and the Clippers were off and running with a 35-21 lead late in the third period.
But Watervliet refused to roll over, using a very effective swarming defense, doubling up on the ball and creating turnovers. On the offensive side it got some more three bombs, eight for the game in all.
Things began to look dicey early in the fourth quarter when Clipper senior Cayden Curry was whistled for a technical foul and afterward was ejected. The Panthers were awarded four free throws and possession of the ball as a result, cutting their deficit to just six points, 45-39, with about three minutes left in the ballgame.
But Coburn connected on two clutch free throws and Jager came up with a huge steal on a crucial series and got a layup with a minute and a half to go.
Watervliet again crept to within six with 35 seconds left and Martin suddenly went cold at the free throw line.
Coburn dropped in 19 points to earn top scoring honors. Curry had nine and Jager eight.
Sophomore Andrew Chisek scored 13 points for Watervliet, now 2-4 overall, and Russell added nine, all on threes.
Martin, which improved to 2-4 for the season, will play at Potter’s House Tuesday night.
COVER PHOTO: Junior Collin Coburn had a big night for Martin in its win over Watervliet.