ALPENA - Jan. 8, 2008 - Ogemaw Heights was lacking starting center Kyle Dantzer when it made the long road trip to Alpena on Tuesday.

The Falcons responded with perhaps their best defensive effort of the season, holding on to edge the previously unbeaten Wildcats 37-36.

Pete VanOosten was held to 14 points, but drained a game-tying 3-pointer and hit 1-of-2 free throws inside the final minute for the winning margin. Alpena's leading scorer, Nathan Kindt, missed a heavily contested shot at the buzzer and was held scoreless in the fourth quarter by Rick Dodridge.

"Rick did a great job defensively on their big guy," said Falcon coach Jon VanOosten. "It was tough without Kyle, but (sophomore) Alex Jennings played well."

Gio Roberto hit a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter to help the Falcons take an early 14-13 lead. The offenses slowed down dramatically after that as the Wildcats outscored the Falcons 17-12 in the middle quarters.

VanOosten and Jennings scored all of the Falcons' fourth-quarter points while Dodridge gained control of Kindt, who had a game-high 17 points through three quarters.

Alpena didn't help itself by missing seven of its nine second-half free throw attempts, while the Falcons were just 2-of-6 while not reaching the free throw line at all in the first half.

VanOosten led the Falcons (7-1) with his 14, with Jennings adding 11. Alpena is also 7-1.