Feb 2, 2003 By Kevin Harrison For The 4 min read

ALVERTON – The Brownsville basketball team kept its playoff hopes alive Friday night, surviving a scare from the Southmoreland Scotties to take a 63-62 road win on a last second layup by center Paul Hlatky. The Scotties, looking to break a 28-game losing streak dating back to January 2002, rode a magnificent performance from their center Troy Rollinson, who carried them with a 34-point, 12-rebound effort.

Brownsville, overcoming a sluggish start, relied on the shooting of guards Carson Thomas, and Mike Bogden, who finished with 21 and 19 points respectively. Hlatky added 14 points and 13-boards.

“We got off to a slow start tonight, but our defense really helped us when we put more pressure on the ball, “Brownsville coach Pete Logan said. “Rollinson made some tough shots against us. They played a whale of a game against us.

“I have a lot of respect for Bill Schrecengost and his program. His kids deserve a lot of credit. They haven’t won a game yet, but they continue to play hard every night. It’s good to see something like that.”

The Scotties (0-20, 0-12) took control in the first quarter, at one point holding a 12-point lead over the Falcons. Rollinson hooked up in a fierce battle with Hlatky and scored 11 points for the Scotties in the first quarter, which included two three-pointers as the Scotties held a 22-13 lead at the end of one.

“I’m pleased with my kids hustle and enthusiasm,” the Scotties Schrecengost said. “They scrap and we have some good stretches during a game, but we don’t have as much athletic ability as some teams to sustain it for four quarters. You can’t take away from their attitude. I’m very pleased with their effort tonight.”

The Falcons (11-10, 7-5) began their comeback in the second quarter, outscoring the Scotties 18-8 in the period. Thomas started to find the range from outside, hitting eight points, including two treys, helping Brownsville to a 31-30 halftime lead.

Hlatky scored four points in the quarter for the Falcons, and Rollinson hit six of the Scotties’ eight points.

In the third quarter, Rollinson opened up with a three to give the Scotties a 33-31 lead.

Bogden, who had 10 points in the quarter, answered with a three to allow the Falcons to regain a 34-33 lead.

Tom Pitzer came back with a bucket for the Scotties. Then Joe Cardine scored for the Falcons to make the score 36-35.

A basket by Chris Hawkins gave the Scotties another one-point lead. Thomas made a basket to make the score 38-37 in favor of Brownsville.

The Falcons outscored Southmoreland 16-11 in the quarter to take a 47-41 lead after three.

“We’re a little snakebitten this year,” Schrecengost said.

“We come down and hit a big shot towards the end of the game, and they came right back with a shot of their own. It’s been like that the last couple of games. We got two games left so we’ll give it our best shot to break out of it.”

The last quarter saw the centers for both teams come up with critical baskets. Rollinson had 12 points in the quarter, and his three-pointer gave the Scotties a 62-61 lead with about 12 seconds left.

Brownsville took the ball out and found Hlatky for the game-winning basket over Rollinson with one-half second remaining. The Scotties had a chance for a catch-and-shoot, but Rollinson’s shot was short, and Brownsville escaped with the win.

“We didn’t want to lose tonight because now we control our destiny as far as trying to make the playoffs,” Logan said.

“As far as Southmoreland is concerned. They are much better than their record indicates, they’re going to surprise somebody in their last couple of games.”

The Falcons continue their run towards the playoffs this week when they host Yough and then travel to Waynesburg.