CHECOTAH – The Checotah Wildcats sent Sallisaw to the free throw line 34 times giving the Black Diamonds 21 of their 55 points and fell to Sallisaw by just 7 points 48-55.

The Black Diamonds only committed 2 fouls over the entire contest to assist them in the win.

Cooper Cox topped the scoring for Sallisaw with 21 points. Cooper Jackson and Brodi Nickell were also in double figures with Jackson scoring 12 and Nickell with 10 points. Jackson Harris was just short of doubles with 9 points.

For the Wildcats Cole Roland added 10 points and Tyler Owen netted 9 for the night.

The game was close the entire night and was only separated by 3 points after the third period with the Wildcats leading 39-36, but in the final eight minutes the foul monster came out to bite Checotah and the Diamonds outscored the Cats 19-9 in the fourth to pull ahead and take the contest 55-48.

Sallisaw (2-14) will remain home next Tuesday when they host Muldrow (13-6), and the Diamonds remain on the road for a tough matchup at Stilwell (15-5) that same night.