MUSKEGON TWP. – Trailing by a point with under 20 seconds to play in overtime against Grand Rapids Catholic Central, there was little doubt who was getting the last shot for the Muskegon Big Reds.

Senior guard Jordan Briggs got the ball after a time out, dribbled into the lane and knocked down a game-winning jump shot with 10 seconds to play, giving Muskegon a thrilling 81-79 victory in the finale of the Muskegon Area Sports Hall of Fame Classic at Reeths-Puffer High School on Wednesday

“It feels great,” said Briggs, who scored a career-high 35 points. “Coach told me I was getting the ball, and I was able to knock down the shot.”

Muskegon Coach Keith Guy said there was no hesitation about giving Briggs the final shot.

“It was all him tonight,” Guy said. “I trust him wholeheartedly. He’s a gamer. Big shots, you saw the big shot he made at the end, he made ‘em all night.”

With just 34 seconds left in regulation, the thought of overtime seemed next to impossible. The Big Reds led 76-68 after a pair of free throws. But GRCC didn’t quit, rattling off an 8-0 run in the span of 25 seconds, helped by a pair of Big Red turnovers.

The Cougars tied the game on a three-pointer with 11 seconds left in the fourth, and Briggs couldn’t connect on his first attempt at a game-winner as the clock ran out.

“We didn’t handle the moment at the end of regulation,” Guy said. “I don’t think it should have gotten to overtime, to be honest. Give them a lot of credit. They’ve got fighters on their team and they kept fighting.

“I thought we started to play not to lose instead of doing what we do to get the lead. We took some uncharacteristic shots, we missed some shots at the basket, we missed free throws and we turned the ball over. When you do all of that, that’s a recipe for a loss.”

Guy said his team’s depth contributed to the overtime win. Anthony Sydnor III was playing through an injury and TJ Davis battled foul trouble, meaning several other Big Reds stepped into larger roles.

“I’m proud of all of the guys tonight,” Guy said. “Especially (Sydnor), he’s hurting tonight but he tried to gut it through.

“To just gut it out and do that, I’m appreciative of my guys. Our depth and what we have, that’s what got us the win.”

Muskegon led 19-17 at the end of the first quarter, thanks to a David Day III triple with just seconds remaining. Catholic Central led 17-10 at one point in the first quarter before the Big Reds answered the challenge.

Muskegon’s lead grew to 40-31 at halftime. Briggs scored 15 in the second quarter alone, including three triples, giving him 23 points in the first half.

GR Catholic closed to within three points in the third quarter, but Muskegon held a 56-47 lead heading to the fourth. The lead grew to as many as 16 points with 5:15 to play.

The Cougars closed regulation on a 24-8 run to tie the game. Muskegon was 13-for-20 at the free throw line in the fourth quarter, giving the Cougars enough wiggle room to stay alive.

GRCC struck first in overtime with a bucket with 2:49 to play. TJ Davis evened the score at 78-78 for Muskegon with 1:43 to play. After running more than a minute off the clock, GRCC got fouled and made one of two free throws to go up 79-78 with 29 seconds left.

Muskegon called time out with 19.7 seconds remaining, then Briggs hit his go ahead shot with 10 seconds left. GRCC turned the ball over on the ensuing inbound play, then Briggs hit a free throw to extend the lead to 81-79. GRCC’s last second shot to tie was no good and Briggs grabbed the rebound to end the game.

Briggs’ 35 points led Muskegon. Day was in double-figures with 11 points while M’khi Guy added nine on a trio of threes. Davis scored eight while battling foul trouble and Stanley Cunningham had seven.

Muskegon is now 3-0 on the season with three non-conference wins. The Big Reds will be back in action Jan. 6 to take on Reeths-Puffer in O-K Green action.