ALMA — ALMA - Alma grabbed a five-point lead early in the fourth quarter, but Rogers Heritage didn’t fold Friday night.

Junior Crist Olsen hit 2 three-point shots and the War Eagles made 5 of 6 free throws in the final 1 minute, 20 seconds to help Heritage claim a 49-47 nonconference victory at Airedale Arena.

Heritage Coach Tom Olsen said his team showed great poise again in winning its third consecutive road game.

“We’ve been in situations,down in the fourth quarter, and some good teams have given us some good licks and we’ve gotten back off the mat and finished the game,” Olsen said. “Just another great job by a great bunch of kids tonight.”

Crist Olsen’s three-pointer from the corner gave Heritage a 44-40 lead with 2:12 left in the fourth quarter. The War Eagles (9-3) then spread the floor and Alma (8-2) was forced to foul. Three different War Eagles made free throwsin the final 1:20.

Alma Coach Stan Flenor credited Heritage with good execution in the fourth quarter.

“The resiliency with this team is really something,” Olsen said. “They just don’t seem to get flustered. We kind of go with the philosophy if they don’t score, we can’t lose no matter what we’re doing offensively.”

The War Eagles also played strong defense, limiting Alma to 12 points in the first half and four in the second quarter.

“Our press was able to have some success in the second and third quarters, but late they got the ball in their shooters hands,” Flenor said.“Heritage did an outstanding job.”

Luke Fryauf, a 6-2 senior, led Heritage with 13 points. Brock Widders finished with a gamehigh 14 points, including eight in the fourth quarter, for Alma. Gage Jensen chipped in 12.

GIRLS ROGERS HERITAGE 58, ALMA 43

Brittany Ward scored in a game-high 21 points, including 10 of 11 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter, to help the Lady War Eagles (7-3) pull away Alma (2-8). Heritage used a 13-0 run in the first half to take a 30-26 lead into halftime, then turned up the defense in the second half. Ashley Ward added 15 and Emilie Jobst 12 on 4 three-pointers for the Lady War Eagles. Robin Stewart led Alma with 18 points.

Sports, Pages 21 on 12/22/2012