KENNESAW - Harrison upset Woodstock 76-71 on Friday with a combination of 3-pointers, timely steals and a little defense.

Hoyas coach Robert Churchwell said the victory is helping keep his team in the thick of the Region 5AAAAA standings.

"Every region win is big for us," he said. "I certainly do hope (it gives us momentum). Down the stretch, with the region as tight as it is, every one counts."

Harrison (13-10, 9-7) trailed 10-2 just minutes into the game when Woodstock's Cedrick Bowen went on a tear.

It didn't stay that way for long.

Ryan Blumenthal, who had eight first-quarter points, was the first of the Hoyas to catch fire when his 3-pointer cut the Wolverines' lead to 14-11.

Harrison continued to chip away and Woodstock's 19-14 advantage after the first quarter vanished when Brian Walker scored his only three points of the game to give the Hoyas a 25-24 lead midway through the second quarter.

Bowen managed to keep the Wolverines in the game with 13 of Woodstock's 23 first-half points, but he was bested by the Hoyas, who pushed their lead to 37-33 at the half.

Subby Adetujoye, who saw significant time with the Hoyas' forwards in foul trouble, scored six points in the first half and was 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.

Bowen came out strong in the second half. After a layup, he knotted the game at 37-all with an emphatic dunk. He finished the game with a team-high 27 points.

Harrison slowly inched to another lead and was up 49-44 after back-to-back scores by Julian Lavender. Bowen and Kent Emanuel cut the deficit with a pair of scores, but Woodstock (15-8, 10-6) trailed 54-52 entering the fourth.

Neither team was able to get more than a two-point lead until the 5-minute mark when Blumenthal drove to the basket and scored easily for the Hoyas. The points made it just 61-60 in favor of Harrison, but Bowen was charged with a technical foul when he shoved Blumenthal to the ground following the play. Blumenthal made one of the free throws before nailing a 3 on his next trip down the court to give the Hoyas a 65-60 lead.

Jamal Watson's free throws put Harrison up 67-61 only to see Woodstock get back in it with a pair of steals converted into a layup and another game-tying dunk by Bowen.

Jordan Kinney picked a great time to score his only points of the night as he put Harrison on top by two. Blumenthal's three-point play then gave Harrison a 74-69 lead with 1:14 remaining.

After a quick basket by Emanuel with 1:08 left in the game, the Hoyas played outstanding defense and prevented Woodstock from getting a shot off and forced a turnover with 11 seconds left, virtually wrapping up the victory.

Bowen fouled out with less than a second remaining and Adetujoye drained a free throw to end the game. Harrison was 9-for-14 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

Blumenthal, who hot five 3-pointers, led Harrison with 26 points. Lavender finished with 16 and Adetujoye had 10.

Harrison, which is tied with South Cobb in the region standings, will host the Eagles (14-7, 9-7) on Tuesday.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Woodstock 58, Harrison 51 (OT): Clara Young scored 17 of her team-leading 19 points as the Lady Wolverines fought back in the second half for the Region 5AAAAA victory.

Woodstock (10-13, 5-11) trailed at the end of each quarter, except the fourth, and was down by as many as 14 points during the third quarter.

Harrison's 36-27 lead at the end of the third quickly dwindled as Young and Shawna Floyd poured it on in the fourth quarter. It was Young's back-to-back layups with less than 3:00 left in regulation that tied the game 43-all.

The Lady Wolverines, who quickly ran out to a 55-50 lead before cruising, dominated overtime.

Jasmine Bowels led the Lady Hoyas (8-14, 2-14) with 16 points and 13 rebounds, while Nikki Hegstetter finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds. Haley Millsap was also key, scoring all seven of her points in the second half.