The Ponca City Wildcats varsity boys basketball team hasn’t had many games this year that went down to the wire. But Friday’s contest against Putnam City in Robson Field House did. And when the final seconds ticked off the game clock, it was Putnam City that was able to claim a hard-fought victory-- 59-54 over Ponca City.

The Wildcats got off to a good start, as they have had a tendency to do this season. They had an 18-16 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter told the eventual tale of Friday’s game as Putnam City outscored the Wildcats 14-5 and had a 30-23 halftime lead.

Ponca City tightened things up a bit in the third quarter as they cut four points off of the visitors’ lead, trailing 42-39 at the period’s end.

The fourth quarter saw Ponca City draw close, trailing 52-50 with 2:45 showing on the clock and 56-54 with about a minute remaining in the game. The Ponca City crowd was really into the game at this point and the noise level at Robson was very high.

The Wildcats has their opportunities to take a lead late in the game, but just couldn’t get over the hump.

Tay Moore led Ponca City in scoring with 17 points. Trenton Monroy with 15 and Mason Meador with 13 also reached double figures.

“I want to say these boys played so hard and it came down to a couple of key plays and missed shots,” Ponca City Coach Ivan McFarlin said.

“I want to say thank you to my seniors! I love you guys and to my juniors and sophomores, thank you for your patience and support of this team. Thank you to the fans and the community for making it a great experience. Rowdies, we love you. Po-Hi Steppers you are the best. Than you administration for your support.”

Seniors who have played for the last time at home include Meador, Monroy, Carter Anderson, Lane Briggs, Nick Thompson, Luke Hollis, Tyree Turner, Matthew Shoup and Bryant Rice. McFarlin also gave a thank you to senior trainer Tyla Knutson.

The Wildcats were scheduled to play their final game of the regular season Tuesday in Midwest City.

PUTNAM CITY 59, PONCA CITY 54 Putnam City 16 14 12 17 -- 59 Ponca City 18 5 16 15 -- 54 Putnam City -- Thompson, 14; Brown, 10; Thomas, 10; Booker, 9; Stephans, 7; Taylor, 3; Nelson, 2; Du, 2; Denson, 2.

Ponca City -- Tay Moore, 17; Trenton Monroy, 15; Mason Meador, 13; Luke Hollis, 9.