Loyalsock Wins 40-39 on Last-Second Shot at Mifflinburg

Loyalsock escaped with a 40-39 road victory at Mifflinburg on Jan. 4 after Saoj Jones converted a decisive basket with five seconds remaining. The game was close throughout, with control swinging multiple times and the score tied entering the fourth quarter.

Loyalsock led after the first quarter 10-7 but trailed at halftime as Mifflinburg outscored them 9-3 in the second. The teams played an evenly matched third quarter that left Loyalsock ahead 31-31 going into the final period. The fourth quarter produced nearly half the scoring for both teams, with Loyalsock posting 16 points and Mifflinburg 15.

Statistically the game reflected the tight finish. Loyalsock made 16 field goals and converted 2 of 5 free throws for a 40-point total, distributed by quarter 10-3-11-16. Mifflinburg finished with 15 field goals and hit 7 of 12 free throws, quarter scoring 7-9-8-15. Loyalsock was paced by Jones and Brecken Gusick with nine points each. Mifflinburg’s top scorer was Griffith with 24 points. Braydon Cioffi accounted for a flurry late, scoring 12 of his team-high points in the fourth quarter as Mifflinburg pushed to regain the lead.

Beyond the immediate drama, the outcome has practical implications for both programs. Loyalsock’s win improves its record to 8-2 overall and 1-0 in HAC-III, reinforcing the team’s status as a contender within the conference early in January. For Mifflinburg, the one-point loss is a setback in early season play and highlights areas to shore up, particularly late-game execution and containing game-tying drives.

For Union County spectators and families, the game underlines how small margins determine outcomes in high school basketball and the importance of late-game composure. Loyalsock’s ability to finish strong on the road will draw increased local interest as conference play ramps up, while Mifflinburg faces a stretch where every conference game will matter for postseason seeding.

Both teams will look to leverage lessons from this game in upcoming matchups. Fans tracking HAC-III standings should note Loyalsock’s early conference victory and Mifflinburg’s resilience despite the loss as indicators that this season’s race could remain tightly contested.