Anderson keeps Navarro undefeated in conference

Corsicana - Keir Anderson hit the game-winning three-pointer with 42 seconds left to send the Navarro Bulldogs (8-6/5-0) into the semester break undefeated in the North Division of Region 14. Navarro beat Lamar State-Port Arthur (6-5/2-3) Wednesday night at home, 69-66.

Navarro took the lead (63-61) at the 2:23 mark of the second half off a baseline layup by sophomore guard Tyler Whiteside. Lamar State had the lead up to as much as six, but couldn't put away the Bulldogs.

"We cut the lead to one several times, but they had an answer, and they would increase the lead," said Michael Landers, head coach of Navarro. "I told my assistants that we needed to catch a break and stop chasing them on the scoreboard. We had opportunities, but I was worried that we wouldn't be able to get over that hump."

In the way of Navarro's success was Lamar State's interior force, Lamar signee Colton Weisbrod and his game-high 25 points.

"He is really good and plays so hard," Landers said. "At times we guarded him well and forced him to take a bad shot but he would come out with the rebound, and we would foul him. He gave us a lot of trouble and made things difficult on our team."

Anderson lead all Navarro scorers with 16 points connecting on four three-pointers. He closed out the game with the Bulldogs' last five points, including two made free-throws, his only appearance at the charity stripe of the game.

"Keir hit back to back threes last week against Lee College, and he's that type of player for us," added Landers. "He didn't shoot the ball well tonight, but he did enough. We told him when we brought him in here [to Navarro] that he was to be a scorer. He came up big when we needed it the most."

"I missed a wide open three a few plays earlier, so I owed it to my teammates to make a shot," said Anderson. "Jamar (Martin) worked hard for the rebound and kicked it out to me, and I did what I was on the court to do."

Landers' Bulldogs are sitting at the top of the North Division, and things are starting to come together for his squad after a 3-6 start to the season.

"I thought our potential was high when we put this team together, but we struggled with injuries, and we are getting players back. We played a tough schedule being on the road against Temple, Hill and McLennan, and our guys figured it out that if we don't come together, then we would take some whippings on the court."

With the 5-0 start in conference play, Anderson says that he and his teammates can enjoy the break.

"This was our last game before Christmas, so we are feeling really good right now with this win. But we know that there is still more work to be done once we get back on campus."

Helping with Navarro's scoring was sophomore forward Jamar Martin and his 15 points (3 three-pointers). The other Bulldog in double figures was freshman Calvin Anderson, as he chipped in 11 of his own.

Lamar State's guards, Jordon Harris (Louisiana-Monroe signee) and Freddie Williams each had 10 points.