Nixa coach Jay Osborne said Ozark went to a different strategy in the second half to maintain its lead.

"Their best player had 21 (points) at halftime and we didn't know who our best player was," Osborne said. "Highly disappointed. I'll give credit to Ozark, especially in the first half. I thought, second half, they… just spread it and milked clock. First half, their best player stepped up and had a big performance.

"I thought we did a better job guarding him in the second half, but again, (Ozark) wasn't looking to shoot 3s. They were in defensive mode. They did a good job of playing keep-away and we're not a chase-you team. We're not going to get out and chase you and take it away."

Ozark withstood multiple Nixa runs in the second half.

The Eagles closed to within 36-31 late in the third quarter on a Nathan Elmer 3-pointer. In the fourth quarter, a basket from Seth Viebrock cut Ozark's lead to 49-45.

For the full story, visit: http://www.ozarkssportszone.com/2016/12/29/nelson-fires-ozark-past-nixa-into-gold-division-title-game/