OSCODA - Feb. 16, 2007 - Pinconning outscored Oscoda 20-9 down the stretch Friday to pull out a 46-40 NEMC road victory over the Owls. The contest was a far cry from the Spartans' earlier 29-point victory, but for the Owls, "close" is no longer good enough after taking yet another of the NEMC leaders to the brink before going down.

"I am really disappointed," said Oscoda coach Scott Lueck. "(Pinny) is having a great year, but I am stubborn enough to think we should win these home games."

The two teams played to a 25-25 hafltime tie, with Barak Henderson scoring six points in the first quarter and Jason Jimenez seven in the second quarter to lead the Owls offensively. Oscoda also held Pinny's Willie PIckvet to seven points as they took a 31-26 lead midway through the second quarter, but Pickvet and the Spartans responded. Pickvet scored 15 of his 22 points in the final minutes of the third quarter and the fourth to fuel the Spartans' comeback.

That continued the frustration for the Owls (9-8, 3-7 NEMC), whose league losses include an overtime defeat to Tawas and a four-point loss to league-leader Standish-Sterling.

"I am pushing the kids all the time to get better and work harder on their shooting drills," Lueck said. "Maybe I need to change some drills. I really want to win these last three games and be competitive at the Standish district.

"I don't think we have played our best game yet. There is definitely room for improvement, and it needs to be soon. Our turnovers are down, we are outrebounding teams but when it comes to getting big baskets against conference teams we aren't getting it done."

Oscoda held a 30-29 rebounding edge, led by Henderson with 12, and Pinny held a 37-36 edge in shooting percentage. Pinny committed 15 turnovers and forced 20 by the Owls.

Oscoda also managed just four free throws, making one.

Pinny improved to 13-4 (8-3 NEMC). Adam Dettmer scored 14 and Henderson added 13 for Oscoda.