Northland's N'Keeley Elmore (@yeem0ney) hits the game-winner for the Vikings at the buzzer! Another instant classic at #TheChallenge! pic.twitter.com/Z8qTP6Cq9v

— Jason Morrow (@JasonMorrow270) January 7, 2017

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Revenge is a dish best served cold. Northland had something saved up for Upper Arlington in a rematch of last year's district semifinals, as sophomore guard N'Keeley Elmore buried a three as time expired to give the Vikings (8-1) a 47-44 win over the previously undefeated Golden Bears (9-1) in front of a packed house at The Challenge. 

After one of two free throws from Northland senior guard Brandon Waugh tied Saturday's game at 44 with 30 seconds remaining, the Vikings would have a chance to prevent overtime and take home a big win.

The Vikings would do just that as Elmore's three clanked on nearly every part of the rim, before falling through the net as the buzzer sounded. For the sophomore Elmore, the shot has great significance, as Northland gets revenge against the same program that ended the Vikings' playoff hopes in both 2014 and 2016.

In a game with 12 lead changes, Northland would strike the final blow as junior wing guard Jejuan Weatherspoon kept the Vikings in it all game, scoring enough to allow his teammates to come up clutch late.

Weatherspoon hit four threes in the second half alone, including three-straight to open the third quarter to stretch Northland's lead to 32-24 with 5:15 to go in the third.

In classic Upper Arlington fashion, the Golden Bears would not be deterred. UA sophomore wing Max Martz caught fire of his own, hitting three triples in the final four minutes of the third to help Upper Arlington establish a 37-36 lead after three quarters.

In a fourth quarter that went back and forth, no team would lead by more than two points at any point in the final frame. Upper Arlington took a momentary lead at 44-43 with 1:23 remaining after two free throws from junior wing Dane Goodwin. 

Upper Arlington would not touch the ball again, as Waugh was fouled and sent to the line with 32.9 seconds remaining. After Waugh hit the first, his second miss hit back iron, however, Weatherspoon tipped the ball in the air while attempting to rebound, which put the ball back in Waugh's hands.

Moments later, Elmore rose up for the biggest bucket of his life, ending Upper Arlington's undefeated record and giving Northland a signature win in the area.

Weatherspoon led the Vikings with 20 points, knocking down six threes and playing excellent perimeter defense. Saturday was a statement game for Weatherspoon, who is emerging as one of the area's absolute best prospects in the 2018 class.

Elmore added nine huge points off the bench, playing the majority of the fourth quarter for the Vikings. Elmore knocked down two key threes in the second half that helped Northland to the win.

Reserve senior wing Rico Robinson added seven points, but did the majority of his best work defending Goodwin, who was held to 10 points under his average coming in. 

Waugh finished with three points, six rebounds and three assists for Northland.

For Upper Arlington, Goodwin led all Golden Bears scorers with 17 points. Goodwin was defended tightly by Northland all afternoon, as he was not able to create much space to score.

Martz added 16 points and seven rebounds, coming alive in the third quarter to give Upper Arlington a brief lead. No other Upper Arlington player would score more than four points, as the Golden Bears struggled to find consistent offense outside of its talented wing duo.

With the win, Northland improves to 8-1 and will look to stay hot at International and East next week. For Upper Arlington, the Golden Bears will have to quickly rebound with a tough non-league matchup at Westerville North on Tuesday. 

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