It wasn't easy, but visiting Park pulled out a 56-53 overtime victory over Chapelgate Christian, last night in Marriottsville, as the Bruins (9-11, 6-4) clinched a MIAA C Conference playoff spot, while eliminating the host Yellowjackets (15-12, 4-6) from post-season consideration.

Park led from the start, but couldn’t push the lead to more than six.  Karl Nelson had nine first half points on his way to a team-high 19.  Park’s dominant big man Anthony Kinslow left the game halfway through the third quarter with a sprained thumb, and never returned.

Park led by three with less than a minute to play, but senior Michael Lovaas hit his third of four threes to tie the game, with just nine seconds left in regulation, to keep the Chapelgate alive.

In overtime, Nelson scored two field goals and two free throws to put Park over the top.

Saints Peter & Paul (13-5, 9-2) leads the C Conference and can clinch the top seed if it defeats Chapelgate, on Tuesday, in its final regular season game.  Beth Tfiloh (10-9, 8-2) sits in second, but can grab the top spot with a Sabre loss and wins over Key (Tuesday) and Park (next Saturday).   One more win would lock up the second seed for the Warriors.

Key (9-11, 7-3) presently holds down third place after last night's, 60-32, win over Indian Creek.

The Obezags were led eight points and 16 rebounds from Joe Iagulli.

Key, which needs one more win to lock up the third seed, can still take second with two wins and some help.  In addition, to Tuesday's big home game with Beth Tfiloh, the Obezags will travel to Lutheran on Thursday.

Park 56, Chapelgate 53, OT
Park: Nelson 19, Colbert-Sangree 13, Kinslow 8, Ottenheimer 8, Levin 4, Rosborough 2, DeMarco 2. Totals 21 12-19 56.
Chapelgate Christian: McCall 23, Lovaas 12, Minjeong 7, Murrell 6, Bianconi 5. Totals 20 5-9 53.
Half: Park, 24-19.
Regulation: 50-50.

Key School 60, Indian Creek 32
Key: Maldanado 7, El-Said 1, Wechsler 8, Iagulli 8, Sligh 9, Anthony 12, Flanagan 5, Casey 5, Chopra 5.
Indian Creek: Ripley 5, Han 12, Barber 2, Bensel 1, Hanley 2, Littlefield 8, Brennan 2.