After trailing in the third, the City Reapers went on a run in the fourth quarter to get the 104-97 win over the Cold Hearts in game one of the best-of-three series.

Trailing by six going into the fourth quarter, the City Reapers went on a 10-0 burst in the first two minutes to take the lead back. Amen Thompson knocked down a three to give the Reapers the lead.

The two teams traded the lead back and forth from there with big shot after big shot. With five minutes to go, Tyler Smith knocked down a three to give the Cold Hearts the lead and Bryson Tiller answered back with a three of his own to put the Reapers back up.

With just over three minutes left leading by two, Trey Parker drilled a three to go up five and Amen came right back and hit a three of his own to push the lead to eight in what seemingly was the dagger.

The Cold Hearts had other ideas though. They ran off six straight with a Tyler Smith three getting them within one point with just under a minute and a half to play. The Reapers responded once again with a Parker three and they kept the Cold Hearts in check from there.

Parker led the Reapers with 24 points and Amen was right behind him with 20 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists. Ryan Bewley also pulled down a double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The Cold Hearts were led by Rob Dillingham with 29 points and six assists. The 29 points was the most Dillingham has had since joining OTE. Johned Walker, Tyler Smith and Bryce Griggs all scored in double figures as well.

There were 18 lead changes in the game with things going back and forth after the Reapers dominated the first quarter.

In the best-of-three series, getting the first game is massive for the Reapers and they’ll now need one more win to make the finals. They’ll get that chance this Friday at 9 p.m. in OTE Arena.