Rattlers’ Late Rally Falls Short in OT Loss to Southeast Community College

Otero College’s comeback bid came up just short Friday night, as the Rattlers Men’s Basketball team fell 82-79 in overtime to Southeast Community College in a conference matchup at McDivitt Gym.

After erasing a 10-point deficit in the final minutes of regulation and taking a brief lead in overtime, Otero saw Southeast score back-to-back baskets in the end of the extra period and get a final defensive stop to close out the 3-point win. Freshman forward Bertran Walthour Jr. powered the Rattlers with a dominant double-double, finishing with 31 points and 13 rebounds in a 41-minute tough effort.

The opening 10 minutes of the first half were tightly contested before Otero created the first meaningful separation. Consecutive 3-pointers from sophomore guards Cole Corner and Marquise Allen helped the Rattlers build a 22-15 advantage with 8:34 remaining in the half. Southeast responded with a 12-3 run to move in front 27-25 with 4:28 left, and the visitors carried a 30-29 edge into halftime behind a defensive-minded stretch that held Otero to 31.4% shooting from the field. Southeast shot 38.7% before the break as both teams leaned on their half-court defense.

Southeast seized control out of the locker room, using a burst from guard Carson Forsey to stretch the margin. Forsey scored the first 11 points of the second half to push the lead to 41-34 with 15:16 to play. The Bobcats then capitalized at the free throw line, converting eight straight points at the stripe to extend their advantage to 51-40 at the 10:18 mark, their largest lead of the night. Otero continued to battle on the glass and on the defensive end but trailed 72-62 with 2:21 remaining in regulation.

From there, the Rattlers mounted a late surge to force overtime. Key baskets from Ray Gasaway and Corner, a 3-pointer from Allen, and two free throws from sophomore guard Jayson Lewis trimmed the deficit to a single possession. With the game on the line, Lewis buried a game-tying 3-pointer with 42 seconds left, knotting the score and sending the contest into overtime as the McDivitt Gym crowd came alive.

The momentum carried into the early stages of the extra period, where Walthour scored five quick points to give Otero a 79-78 lead with 1:40 to play. However, Southeast answered with consecutive buckets to move back in front 82-79 and then turned in one final stop on the Rattlers’ last possession to escape with the overtime win.

Despite the loss, Otero controlled the glass throughout the night. The Rattlers posted a 55-33 advantage in total rebounds and overwhelmed Southeast 25-13 on the offensive boards. Overall shooting was a struggle for both sides, with Southeast finishing at 39.1% from the field and Otero at 38.5%. Southeast’s timely offensive rebounds down the stretch, along with its free throw production during key stretches of the second half, ultimately proved decisive. Southeast outshot Otero 30-12 at the free throw line.

Alongside Walthour’s standout performance, Corner delivered 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Rattlers. Allen contributed an all-around line with eight points, seven rebounds and six assists, while Lewis added 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists, highlighted by his clutch 3-pointer to force overtime. The effort showed Otero’s resilience and interior strength, particularly on the boards, as the team looks to build on the late-game fight and convert future close conference contests into wins.