POWELL, Ohio -- Surviving near disaster in the final seconds, Olentangy Liberty held off No. 8 Westerville South in an all-important home win. 

That near disaster came with 1.3 seconds to go as Olentangy Liberty guard Ben Roderick was called for a technical after hanging on the rim following a big tip slam. Roderick's tip slam put the Patriots ahead at 61-56, however Westerville South would receive two technical free throws and one last possession.

Westerville South junior guard Jordan McMillian knocked down both attempts at the line but would miss a halfcourt heave at the buzzer.

After dropping its first league game of the season at Olentangy Orange last Friday, Olentangy Liberty prevented an 0-3 start to the season in the 61-58 win.

Roderick was the key to Olentangy Liberty's third quarter surge, scoring 10 of the Patriots' 17 points in the period alone. In a 90 second span late in the third quarter with the game tied at 38, Roderick came up huge.

The 6-foot-6 guard knocked down a go-ahead three, converted a spinning three-point play and scored a tough driving layup in a self-made 8-0 run to put Liberty ahead 46-38 with 45 seconds remaining. 

From that point forward, Westerville South would not lead again. Going into the fourth quarter with an eight-point lead, Olentangy Liberty would stretch the lead to as much as 10 points, not allowing Westerville South to get any closer than three points.

Scoring eight more points in the fourth quarter, Roderick knocked down key free throws and put the finishing touches on the win with the tip slam, despite the controversial technical foul. Finishing with 28 points, Roderick also added 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals. Leading Central Ohio in scoring thus far, Roderick is averaging just north of 30 points per game for the 1-2 Patriots.

Outside of Roderick, junior guard Joey Thatcher finished with 12 points, including important free throws in the fourth quarter. Junior forward Nick Nakasian played a solid all-around game, adding six points and 10 rebounds. Fellow junior forward Mitch Okuley added seven points, five rebounds and three assists off the bench.

For Westerville South, senior forward Manny Sunnyway played the best game of his career, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two blocks and four steals. Playing excellent basketball on both ends of the floor, Sunnyway's effectiveness on the block kept the Wildcats in the game down the stretch.

McMillian added 16 points, 12 of which in the first half. The 6-foot McMillian also added five rebounds and three assists. Senior guard Hafiz Turay added 10 points, four assists and four steals, while senior guard Malique Lyshe added seven points. 

Avoiding an 0-3 start, Olentangy Liberty relied on its stud junior Roderick to take control of Thursday's down the stretch. Improving to 1-1 in league play, Olentangy Liberty will look to keep rolling next Tuesday vs. Marysville. 

For Westerville South, the Wildcats fall to 3-1 and will look to get back to its winning ways on Saturday at Tri-Valley.