Plummer pours in 31 to lead Pentwater past Walkerville in overtime 61-57

It took overtime for the Falcons to do it, though. Facing Western Michigan D League rival Walkerville in the Wildcats gym proved typically difficult.

The two teams engaged in trading baskets in the first half, and each team had its heroes. In the end, it was the Falcons pulling out a thrilling 61-57 victory.

“It was a great game,” Pentwater coach Ashley Lubera said. “Walkerville was hot from the 3-point line, and was determined to find its first win of the season as well.”

Pentwater stayed close to the Wildcats throughout the first half. Oddly, the two teams went scoreless in the second quarter and Walkerville finished the first half with a narrow, 25-24 lead.

Quarter number three was a huge one for the Falcons, as several players contributed. Tyler Plummer scored 10 points himself in the third.

The Falcons outscored the Wildcats, 18-12 in that third period, and pulled into a 42-37 lead. But the Wildcats came back, outscoring the Falcons, 15-10 in the fourth period to tie the score, 52-52 at the end of regulation and force the overtime.

Pentwater prevailed with a 9-5 edge in the extra period. The Falcons jumped out to a four-point lead, but the Wildcats ate into the lead.

“With a lot of team effort, the kids locked down the full court defense led by Jonny Arnouts, and we were able to scoop up some free throw opportunities after finding a few steals,” Lubera said.

The Falcons struggled from the line, shooting only 30 percent. But it was the shots made by Will Werkema-Grondsma and Plummer that helped the Falcons take a two-point lead in the final minute.

“We played well,” Walkerville coach Lee Ooman said. “We had a few too many turnovers down the stretch, but we hustled and played a lot better than we did last week.”

Plummer fired in 31 points to lead the Falcons, while Arnouts chipped in with 10 and Werkema-Grondsma nine. Werkema-Grondsma also had 12 rebounds, four assists and five steals. Arnouts had five assists, seven rebounds and four steals. Plummer added four assists and nine steals.

Aaron Ashbrook scored 18 points for the Wildcats and he added 15 rebounds. Connor Schafer and Collin Chase each had 10 points.

Pentwater improved to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in the WMD, and hosts Brethren in another league game Thursday night. Walkerville fell to 0-3 and 0-2, respectively, and will travel to Marion for a WMD matchup Thursday.