Northside's boys were on the precipice of dropping its second straight home game, as well as falling to 1-3 on its court.

The Grizzlies, however, put together a stirring fourth-quarter comeback to force overtime Friday before defeating Bryant, 69-67, at the buzzer on Tyrell Perry's put-back jumper.

"We were so glad to get this win, especially at home, because we were struggling. ... We've just got to get being comfortable here at home," Northside coach Eric Burnett said.

"They were so dang physical, and they just came out shooting the ball unbelievable; they were doing everything. But my guys just (came through) and made plays when it was time to make plays."

Burnett added defense played a big role in Friday's comeback, in particular a 10-0 run which tied the score at 61-all with less than three minutes to go in regulation. All 10 points were set up by turnovers, and Isaiah Joe scored all those points, part of his 36-point performance.

"I told them last week, 'Fellas, we've got to hang our hat on our defense,' and I thought against Bryant, we hung our hat on our defense," Burnett said. "And I told them in the locker room (after Friday's game), 'Wow, fellas, talk about hanging your hat on our defense, that's the definition of it right there.' ... To come back and win in overtime like that, that was huge."

The Grizzlies (15-6, 6-2) got the win when Perry, unguarded along the baseline to the left of the basket, grabbed a rebound off a missed 3-pointer and quickly put it back through the net as time expired.

"That was so heady, because he knew how much time was on the clock," Burnett said.

Northside, which is tied with Cabot for second in the conference a game behind North Little Rock, plays at home again today against Little Rock Central (14-8, 4-4), a team the Grizzlies beat on the road last month, 76-69.

"They are another very athletic team coming in to our place. ... It's going to be another tough ballgame," Burnett said. "What you saw (Friday), that's the way every game is going to be."

Meanwhile, the Northside Lady Bears have a chance to avenge one of their two 7A-Central losses as they play host to Central today. Central pulled out a 59-54 win in Little Rock on Jan. 10.
