Orem struggles, still defeats Pineview

OREM — As good as Tanner Lamb and Craig Cusick have been offensively for the Orem Tigers, there will be nights when they'll need a little help from their friends.

Saturday night's game against a pesky and rugged Pineview Panthers team was one of those times. Even though Cusick scored 19 and Lamb added eight in Orem's 48-44 victory, it was the lowest output so far in three games for both. Cusick was coming off a 40-point performance on Friday and has been close to unstoppable so far this season.

But both were smothered by a host of physical Panther defenders and had to work extra hard for every shot they got Saturday. Fortunately for the Tigers, junior guard Timo Valimaki nailed a few key baskets and reserve guard Matt Jensen knocked down two clutch free throws in the final minute to seal the deal - and Jensen made his charity tosses after his team had made only one of seven up to that point.

The real bonus for Orem was the inside play of 7-foot center Jordan Butler, who blocked numerous Pineview shots, altered many others and ruled the boards in the game's final minutes. Butler's inside presence was especially vital to the outcome considering Pineview's inability to score from the outside as well. The Panthers did not make one 3-point shot, and missed three in the final minute that spoiled a last-gasp comeback effort.

Butler also had the game's key sequence of plays with three minutes remaining in the game. Pineview had just closed the gap to 44-42 on two foul shots and two technical foul shots by Carter Mees. The Panthers' James Lark, who scored 14 to lead Pineview, leaned in for the game-tying shot when Butler swatted the ball away to Cusick. Butler then raced down court and was fed by Cusick for an easy layup. The Panthers never got closer again.

"He was a real force in there," Orem coach Mike Conner said of his much-improved senior post player. "He was blocking shots and grabbed some critical rebounds for us down the stretch, and then he made that big basket late. His size was very key for us."

Overall, Conner was happy with the win but not happy with his players' focus, the fact that they sent Pineview to the line 29 times and committed many costly turnovers.

"If there is a silver lining to the way we played it's that we did have some other guys step up and make some baskets for us," he said.

Pineview never led in the game, but the game was knotted four times - with the latest being 35-35 late in the third period. Pineview had a chance to take the lead on four straight possessions but couldn't get a shot to fall. And when Cusick hit a tough 3-pointer at the third-quarter buzzer it gave the Tigers a lead they never again relinquished.

"You have to give Pineview credit. They came in here and played physical and rugged defense and made things tough for us," Conner said.

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