PYLE DELIVERS AGAIN: BULLPUPS ADVANCE TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH DOUBLE-OVERTIME THRILLER

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SALINA — Lightning struck twice for the McPherson Bullpups as senior Gabe Pyle delivered his second consecutive game-winning buzzer beater to defeat undefeated Ottawa 52-50 in a dramatic double-overtime semifinal Friday at the Tony's Pizza Event Center. Pyle's elbow jumper with time expiring broke a stalemate that had lasted since midway through the fourth quarter, sending the Bullpups to their 29th state championship game appearance in program history.

Pyle's shot ended a defensive standoff where neither team scored for over 13 minutes of game time. The contest featured extraordinary clock management from both squads, with McPherson holding possession for the final three-and-a-half minutes of regulation and Ottawa employing similar tactics in the first overtime. The Bullpups led 29-28 at halftime before exchanging runs with the top-ranked Cyclones in the third quarter.

Sophomore Ashton Malm provided crucial contributions for McPherson, including a buzzer-beating floater to tie the game at 46 to end the third quarter and finishing with eight points. Gabe Pyle led the Bullpups with 16 points, while cousin Jett Pyle added key baskets throughout and directed McPherson's methodical offensive approach. The victory was a team effort with Ian Razak, Bishop Brown and Brody Seidel all making significant defensive stops against Ottawa's high-powered offense.

The Bullpups, making their fifth consecutive state semifinal appearance and record 41st Final Four in program history, will face the winner of Andale and Rock Creek in Saturday's 4 p.m. championship game.

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