The Chaparrals answered the challenge in overtime Tuesday, scoring 12 unanswered points in their 100-94 victory over visiting Prairie State in Region 4 men's basketball.
 
Freshman Braylen Meredith led the Chaps with 28 points and 15 rebounds, and Quentin Schaffer followed with 25 as COD improved to 7-5, 4-5 Region 4.
 
Greg Strong added 17 points, Michael Glover 14 and John Gray III 11 as COD overcame the Pioneers' second-half rally and outplayed its foe in OT.
 
The Chaps led by 17 points (61-44) with 15 minutes remaining in the game before PSC whittled the deficit and eventually led 66-65 with 7:03 to go.
 
A Strong drive to the basket tied the game at 79-79 with 22 seconds left and the Chaps held off the Pioneers, who missed a 3-pointer with three seconds left.
 
PSC grabbed an 87-84 lead on an Isaiah Young 3-pointer with 2:56 left. But over the next two-plus minutes, COD made its run with Strong and Meredith combining on 10 points on the 12-point run.
 
"We overcame their rally and earned the win in overtime,'' head coach Joe Kuhn said. "Braylen was solid all game long, and Quentin was just terrific. Five guys with double figures and we shot the ball well, especially at the line.''
 
COD hit 47.8 percent from the field and was 26 of 30 on free throws.
 
The Pioneers were led by Antonio Phillips' game-high 32 points.
 
COD completes its December home schedule Thursday night against Oakton.