DELAWARE, Ohio -- Making my first trip back to Euclid Avenue for the first time since 2015, the return trip to Delaware Hayes did not disappoint on Friday. Overcoming a 50-33 deficit late in the third quarter to Dublin Scioto, Delaware Hayes closed on a 31-7 run to take down the Irish in overtime, 64-57.

Junior guard Nate Griggs was mightily clutch in the massive run, sparking a 6-0 rally to end the third quarter to cut the deficit to 50-39. Griggs was just getting started however. While Scioto held a multi-possession lead for most of the fourth quarter, Delaware never stopped pressuring.

A spin score from Griggs cut the lead to 54-52 with 1:38 remaining. Scioto had plenty of chances at the line, however, the Irish went 1-for-3 on back-to-back one and one chances, allowing Delaware to have one last chance trailing 55-52 with 17.9 seconds to go.

Going back to the hot hand, Delaware put the ball in the hands of Griggs. Driving with his right hand, Griggs found an open crease in the Scioto defense, beating his defender off the dribble and finishing through a foul to have a chance to tie the game.

As if there was any doubt in the world, Griggs calmly knocked down the game-tying free throw after Scioto attempted to ice with him a late timeout. Failing to convert on its final possession, Scioto allowed a 22-5 run to end regulation, sending Friday's OCC-Cardinal matchup into overtime.

In overtime, Griggs scored five of Delaware's nine points as the Pacers held Scioto to a pair of free throws and zero field goals in the final period. Holding on to a 64-57 win in which it had to climb every inch out of a huge deficit late, Delaware Hayes might've picked up the toughness and confidence that it has lacked in close games over the last three seasons by grinding this one out.

Griggs led the Pacers with 24 points, scoring 21 of those after halftime. Taking over when Delaware needed him most, Griggs put together the type of performance that has warranted his place among the top guards in the 2020 class in the area.

Griggs was not alone however, as senior forward Terin Kinsway put together a strong showing, finishing with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Kinsway provided the Pacers with toughness on the interior, using his monstrous upper body to finish through Scioto defenders all night.

Junior guard Addison Harvey added nine points, as he, Griggs and Kinsway combined for 52 points on the night.

For Dublin Scioto, the Irish suffer a tough loss in which they had every chance to come home with a victory. Senior wing Dapreis Owens had one of the best games of his career, going for 23 points and 12 rebounds, helping spark a 22-5 second quarter with a few big scores.

Owens was helped by senior guard Zach Gawronski, who nailed four triples and finished with 17 points. Gawronski consistently made Delaware pay on late closeouts, but would not score in the fourth quarter.

No other player had more than seven points for the Irish, who went cold in the fourth quarter, being held to just five points.

With the win, Delaware Hayes keeps rolling at 3-0 and will look to stay hot in OCC-Cardinal play as it hosts both Thomas Worthington and Worthington Kilbourne, before heading to Orlando over Christmas break.

For Dublin Scioto, the Irish lose its second-straight game, but can bounce back with matchups against Hilliard Darby, Thomas Worthington and Westerville Central next week.

Nate Griggs (6'0 PG / Delaware Hayes / 2020): Big time. Those are the only two words to describe Griggs' night. While he spent most of the first half trying to get his teammates involved by moving the ball around and finding good looks for Kinsway and Paul Burris, Griggs took over when the Pacers needed him to. Creating offense off the dribble, Griggs made several contested shots from mid-range and in. The 6-foot junior guard did a great job of creating separation, showing great balance on his pull up jumper in the lane. He was also able to finish on the right side of the rim, using a spin move and good touch off the glass. While not overly athletic or quick, Griggs has a great feel, knows how to attack defenses in the half court and get to his spots. Griggs also showed off great court vision, firing crisp passes in the front court to the shooting pockets of his teammates, which helped the Pacers open up an early 12-2 lead. After a breakout sophomore year in which he had a few big games, look for Griggs to do what he did on Friday on a more consistent basis. One of the best scoring point guards that you will find in the 2020 class in Central Ohio. 

Dapreis Owens (6'3 WF / Dublin Scioto / 2019): Friday might have been the best game of Owens' career, as he put together an all-around performance on both ends of the floor. Going for 23 points and 12 rebounds, Owens showed off a shooting touch from the perimeter that he did not have last year. Hitting two threes and a few mid-range jumpers, Owens looked much more fluid as a jump shooter, showing a softer touch. While he broke out last season as a slasher, Owens did plenty of that, getting to the rim and creating opportunities. A hard-working forward that competes on the glass, Owens was all over the offensive boards, cleaning up Scioto's messes and giving the Irish a chance to win. While Owens isn't super explosive and not yet a true wing, he plays with a great motor, has really improved and will continue to expand his game. This is a kid that Division III programs in this region need to covet. 

Terin Kinsway (6'4 WF / Delaware Hayes / 2019): If there was a bench pressing contest for all the players in the area, I think I would put my life's savings on Kinsway. An absolutely jacked senior forward with looks more like a five-star linebacker than a basketball player, Kinsway knows how to hoop and has been one of the absolute most productive players in his class. Friday was a strong performance for the senior, as he went for 19 points and 11 rebounds, serving as Hayes' five man, powering his way through opposing defenders and putting the ball in the bucket. Scioto did not have a matchup for Kinsway's physicality, as he moved guys all over the paint and finished right through them. While Kinsway did get a chance to show off the soft shooting touch that he has on the perimeter due to his role on the team, we are confident in his offensive abilities at the next level, as he is ready to compete physically and will give you max effort and consistency each time out. Wheeling Jesuit checked out Kinsway on Friday, as he has what it takes to play at the Division II level. 

Zach Gawronski (6'2 WG / Dublin Scioto / 2019): Seeing Gawronski for the first time on Friday, we were impressed with the chiseled 6-foot-2 senior. After breaking out for a 20+ point performance last week, Gawronski nearly got there again on, as he hit four three-point field goals, three of which in transition, to finish with 17 points. While Gawronski didn't have to put the ball on the floor much on Friday, we were impressed with what we saw from him and think he could be a potential breakout senior this winter if he keeps playing at this level. 

Paul Burris (6'6 PF / Delaware Hayes / 2020): While Griggs and Kinsway powered the Delaware offense on Friday, Burris had his moments, finishing with five points. Burris, a 6-foot-6 forward who was recently offered by Air Force, knocked down a corner three in the opening period and did not score again until Griggs hit him for a mid-range jumper to end the third quarter. Burris has great touch as a shooter and a high release, which makes him really hard to defend. While he wasn't super assertive on Friday, Burris has length, shooting touch beyond the three-point line and handling ability, which at 6-foot-6, makes him an intriguing prospect. Going off for 31 points in the opening game of the season, Burris will need more consistent showings like that in order for this Delaware team to compete against Hilliard Bradley at the top of the Cardinal division.