By LESLEY GRAHAM
For three and a half quarters of play, the Ocean City Boys basketball team and the visiting Spartans of Deptford traded baskets.
With five minutes remaining in the game, Ocean City broke out their full court press defense, momentum swinging to their side to pull away for a 79-66 victory in the first round of the South Jersey Group Three playoffs.
Ocean City the six seed improved to 17-9 on the year, while Deptford who was seeded 11th, finished their season 12-14.
Junior Gannon Brady led all scorers with 31 on the evening, while teammates Tom Finnegan and Mike Rhodes dropped 20 a piece.
Deptford had the hot shooting hand early in the game, draining nine 3 point baskets in the opening half of play.
The outside shot combined with strong defense kept Ocean City from opening up any type of lead as the Red Raiders found themselves tied with Deptford at the half, 37 a piece.
Adjustments were made at halftime and Ocean City was able to clean up a bit of unforced errors on their part, but Deptford was not about to give in to Ocean City as they answered every shot with a big one of their own.
After three quarters of play, the game was once again tied, this time at 50 with the final eight minutes remaining.
Ocean City finally found its offensive firepower as it opened up for 29 points in the final quarter, using momentum to close out the game against the Spartans.
Ocean City turned the tides with an inbound steal, bucket and one late in the fourth to help seal Deptford’s fate.
The Raiders would go on to win 79-66.
The win advances Ocean City into the second round of playoffs where they will face the three seed Westampton Tech Wednesday at Westampton Tech.
