Vincent Galassi likely ended his competitive basketball career with a flurry. The

Grayson Sabo, left, releases a shot over a falling Owen J.  Roberts defender.

Upper Perkiomen senior delivered the key basket in his team's season-ending victory.

            Galassi's 3-pointer with 95 seconds remaining put the Indians ahead for good. Two of his classmates also played significant roles in their 61-55 victory over Owen J. Roberts on Thursday, Jan. 30.

            Head coach John Brittain described the performance as his team's best victory of the season. He lauded the effort provided by the players. "Hopefully a win like this will be a springboard for next season," said Brittain, a first-year coach. "The guys coming back finally understand what level of effort it takes to win."

            Robert Rice converted four free throws during the final 65 seconds. Galassi delivered two foul shots with 20.6 seconds remaining to extend a two-point lead. Connor Gehman's steal with less than a minute left led to a layup by Darius Reid that staked the Tribe (6-16 overall, 3-10 PAC) to a 56-50 advantage. 

"All three seniors did a great job at the end," said Brittain, whose team posted four more victories than last season. "We did a lot of good things down the stretch."

            Rice, a 6-foot-7 senior forward, scored eight of his game-high 20 points during the fourth quarter. Galassi, a Pennsburg resident, delivered eight of his 11 points during the quarter. He drained 5-of-6 free throws during the final eight minutes.

            Gehman scored five of his seven points to open the fourth quarter. His 3-pointer from the right wing put the Indians ahead 42-40.

            Darius Reid posted 17 points for the Tribe, who converted 10-of-12 foul shots during the fourth quarter to avenge a 31-point loss in the season series on Jan. 3. The sophomore guard added three assists and four steals.

            Following three fourth-quarter ties, the visiting Wildcats took a 48-46 lead. Elijah Cline hit two free throws with 3 minutes, 47 seconds remaining.

            The Indians responded by scoring three points on their ensuing two possessions. Reid hit a free throw then Rice, who finished with a team-high 11 rebounds, converted a missed 3-point attempt into a basket to stake them to a 49-48 lead with 2:40 remaining.

            Two foul shots by Dazh'Mair Rose staked Owen J. Roberts to a 50-49 lead with 2:15 to go. However, the Tribe took the lead for good on its next possession.

            Gehman gathered a loose ball near midcourt and released a high arching pass to Galassi along the baseline. The 5-foot-10 guard squared his shoulders and released a shot that swished through the rim, staking his team to a 52-49 advantage.

"The shot felt great coming off my hands," said Galassi, who added six rebounds and two steals. "If this was my last game. I wanted to go out on a high note."

            A decision by the referee to reverse an out-of-bounds call in Upper Perkiomen's favor permitted it to score the next four points.

            Rice drained two foul shots with 65 seconds left. Reid's basket off Gehman's steal put the team ahead 56-50.

            The Wildcats pulled within 57-55 on a 3-pointer by Daniel Walker, who finished with a team-high 15 points, and two free throws by Ryan Holmburg -- who added 14 points -- with 26.4 seconds to go.

            However, the Tribe secured the victory at the foul line. Galassi and Rice went 4-for-4 in the final 20.6 seconds.