SEATTLE – Three strikes and you’re out is not a basketball expression, but it most definitely applied to the Spartans’ situation on the road against Seattle Preparatory Friday, Jan. 17 when, after three overtime periods, they ultimately lost 87-71.

The weary warriors dominated play in the first quarter, leading the Panthers 14-7.

The second quarter proved the closest of any regular quarter in the game and left the scoreboard at 32-26 with Bainbridge in front.

A tie as time ran out in the fourth quarter left the Spartans knotted against Prep with a game score of 59-59, sending the Metro matchup into overtime.

Amazingly, the first OT offense was also tied 5-5, and the second, 4-4.

That’s where the Spartans began to falter.

Bainbridge fell behind significantly in the third OT period as the Panthers ran away and outscored the Spartans 19-3.

It was a grinding and physically demanding competition. said Spartan Head Coach Scott Orness.

Although the team was obviously disappointed to have lost, he noted, there was much to be proud of within the performance.

Blake Swanson led the team in points, finishing the game with 20.

Joey Blacker poured in 16 points, Trent Schulte finished with 11 and Oskar Dieterich taxed the twine for seven points in the game.

There was very little time for the Spartans to recover before returning home to host the visiting Rams from West Seattle Saturday, Jan. 18. Orness said that the team intended to take things a little easier after such a grueling competition in preparation for the home game with practice that day consisting mainly of shooting drills, film review and some yoga.