BellaireÕs Ryan Hebden goes airborne past EllsworthÕs Jared Danbert on his way to the basket to take a 52-51 point lead in the closing minute of the contest between the Eagles and the Lancers. Photo by Jim Schoensee

Ellsworth's Nolan Howes grabbed an offensive rebound with 7 seconds to go and put the ball back in the air toward the basket. It rolled around the rim for what seemed like hours before fate intervened and tilted the ball back toward the center of the bucket to give Ellsworth the lead by one point.

Howes was fouled on the play and missed the free throw, but Bellaire's last second three for the win fell just short.

Perhaps the most animated individual after the final buzzer sounded was Ellsworth head coach Tex Drenth, who leaped off the ground higher than a man of his size should be able to and pumped his fist in the air.

"I don't think we've beaten Bellaire in 100 years," he said after the game, still soaking it in. "It (the win) gives us confidence playing Bellaire. It's a big deal for us confidence wise."

Ellsworth was up 14-11 at the end of the first quarter, and then promptly went on a 17-4 run before Bellaire scored the last five points of the first half, which ended on an answered prayer from nearly half-court by Hebden, to send the teams into the locker room with Ellsworth up 31-20.

Then, led by Brad Guy, Bellaire started their comeback. They cut the lead to 43-37 after three quarters and had momentum on their side. Guy scored six straight points midway through the fourth to bring the Eagles within one point, 47-46.

Jared Danbert swished a clutch 3-pointer from the right elbow to push Ellsworth's lead back to four with 2:10 remaining.

Undeterred, the Eagles came storming back, and Guy tied the game at 50-all with a steal and layup with 1:13 to go.

Ellsworth added a free throw before Hebden hit his runner in the lane to set up the dramatic finish.

"We knew they were going to make a run," Drenth said. "We talked at halftime that we've got to be able to handle it, and we did.

"The kids are fighters, and I couldn't be more proud of them."

Guy led all scorers with 25 points. Danbert had 16 for Ellsworth, and Nathan Peterson put up 12.

Bellaire was without starting guard Matt Dreves, who missed the game due to an illness.

The Eagles now turn their attention to the Mancelona Ironmen, many of whom were in attendance on Monday, and who will no doubt try to kick the Eagles while they're down.

"This one is important," Bellaire head coach Stan Sexton said after the game about the looming SVC matchup. "We need a win, and they need a win, so you'll see two teams going hard at each other." Tip-off of the JV game is scheduled for 6 pm tonight (Wednesday).

The Eagles won the JV game, 43-35. Jordan Muma had 12 points for Ellsworth, and Steve Eiseler had 25 for Bellaire.