The Lake Highlands Wildcats staged a dramatic comeback against Jesuit Dallas, tying the game with under a minute left after trailing by six and dominating overtime to hand the Rangers a 68-63, overtime loss on Tuesday evening at Lake Highlands High School.
 
Senior Mitch Prendergast, who is set to sign with Mercer University on Wednesday morning, scored a team-high 18 points to lead the Ranger effort. In total, four members of the Blue and Gold finished Tuesday's game in double figures, including 16 points by junior Marcus Hill, 15 points by junior Michael Jankovich and 11 points from third year Reid Hatzmann. Jesuit (17-8, 6-3 UIL 9-6A) out-rebounded Lake Highlands, 31-27, but 18 Ranger turnovers led to 25 Wildcat points.
 
Senior Alan Garcia matched Hatzmann and Prendergast with a team-high five rebounds, while Hill, Prendergast and senior Jeff Grimes logged two steals apiece. Garcia matched Hatzmann's team-leading four assists, while the Rangers went 16-of-20 from the free-throw line.
 
Trailing, 14-11 at the end of the first quarter, an 8-0 run by the Rangers handed Jesuit its first multi-possession lead of the game. The two teams jostled back and forth until halftime, when Lake Highlands took a two-point advantage into the break. Jesuit went 5-of-6 to open the second half, using a 13-2 run to take control of the contest, building a double-digit advantage with 2:15 remaining in the third.
 
Lake Highlands began the comeback after entering the fourth quarter trailing by 10 points. The Wildcats cut into the Jesuit lead, shooting 7-of-13 from the floor while holding the Rangers to 1-of-6 from the field, before a traditional three-point play by Gabe Gettens gave Lake Highlands a 54-53 lead with 1:49 in regulation. Jankovich drew a foul with 42 seconds left, tying the game and sending the bout into overtime.
 
An inspired Wildcat defense shut the Rangers out from three-point range and forcing a pair of turnovers while Lake Highlands went 3-for-3 during the extra stanza, converting 7-of-10 free-throw attempts to clinch the victory.
 
Jesuit will aim to rebound against W.T. White on Friday. Tip off between the Rangers and Longhorns is scheduled for 8 p.m. from W.T. White High School.