Fort Collins takes down Fossil Ridge with late 3-pointer

Forget what happened the last seven minutes.

Ignore that a game that seemed in control for the Fort Collins High School boys basketball team now hung in the balance.

It was time for focus.

One big play to make your teammates and student section go bonkers.

Tied at 50 in the final minute at rival Fossil Ridge, the ball was kicked to an open Ty Thomas.

"Bang. Love it," Thomas said.

Yep, it went in. The last minute 3-point dagger from Thomas boosted Fort Collins to a 53-50 win after Fossil Ridge's last two game-tying 3's missed.

"Big-time shot. Have to trust my teammates, they were setting me up," Thomas said. "Best feeling in the world."

It was a big upset for Fort Collins (5-12, 2-5 Front Range League), the defending FRL champions over the current league leaders in Fossil Ridge (10-8, 7-1).

After three quarters it looked like a sure thing, but things quickly turned.

Fort Collins led 45-33 after three quarters, but then Fossil Ridge cranked things up in front of a loud home crowd.

The SaberCats went on a 15-2 run to open the fourth quarter and take the lead. 

Fort Collins settled in enough to regain balance and have the game tied going into the final minute. Then it was Thomas time, followed by a court-storming from the Lambkins students.

The Lambkins have been searching for footing this season and may have finally found it. Fort Collins had a big comeback to beat Loveland on Friday.

Tuesday's win was much more impressive, handing Fossil Ridge its first league loss of the season.

Ryan Oligmueller (20) and Sam Tiley (14) combined for 34 points, Benny Khouri had two key baskets late before Thomas nailed the winner. 

Now the Lambkins (No. 51 in RPI entering Tuesday) will lake to make a late-season push in their final six games to make the 48-team Class 5A playoffs.

For Fossil Ridge, the game is a setback but doesn't change the big-picture formula.

With big turnover from last season, the SaberCats took some time to find their stride but took off at the start of FRL play.

The league title is still in front of them, with no time to dwell on the loss. The SaberCats host Fairview at 6:30 p.m. Friday, both teams tied atop the league with one FRL loss. 

Garrett Ripsam led the team with 15 points and Brandon Lambrecht had 11 to help lead the charge in the big comeback attempt.

It was a night fitting for a big rivalry.

Follow sports reporter Kevin Lytle at twitter.com/Kevin_Lytle and at facebook.com/KevinSLytle.

FORT COLLINS 53, FOSSIL RIDGE 50

Fort Collins 9 17 19 8 — 53

Fossil Ridge 8 9 16 17 — 50

Fort Collins (5-12, 2-5 FRL) — Oligmueller 20, Tiley 14, Johnson 6, Thomas 6, Khouri 5, Titelbaum 2.

Fossil Ridge (10-8, 7-1 FRL) — Croft 6, Lambrecht 11, Cornmesser 7, Ripsam 15, Marley 4, Kawcak 7.