Rigg-ing up a victory: Suns guard buries game-winning 3-pointer at buzzer in state-ranked showdown

QUINCY — Owen Rigg has played in dozens, if not hundreds, of basketball games in his life. But the Southeastern junior guard had never hit a game-winning buzzer beater.

Not until Wednesday night.

With the clock winding down and the game tied at 42, Suns senior Danny Stephens drew a double team and found Rigg open to the right of the top of the key. He calmly knocked down a 3-pointer to secure a 45-42 win over Bunker (Mo.) in the final game of the 15th annual Rumble on the River at John Wood Community College’s Student Activity Center.

“I was hoping I would be the last one to take that shot,” Rigg said. “When (Danny) passed it to me, I thought it’s all me now. I shot it and I was thinking in my head, ‘That may go in.’ I made it and then it was a celebration.”

Southeastern coach Brett Ufkes said the play was designed for Stephens to hold the ball at the top of the key, run a play off the right side, and create an opportunity to take the last shot. The Eagles’ defensive pressure forced Stephens to go left, and when two defenders collapsed, it left Rigg wide open.

“It was kind of a scrum and Danny had several guys on him and it was kind of an ordinary play,” Ufkes said. “He got Owen a nice look and we got the win.

“That’s what sports is all about, to be ready in the moment.”

Stephens, who had a team-high 27 points, said he has faith that others will step up in those kinds of moments.

“You have to know your teammates are going to be in the right spot and make big shots like that,” the 6-foot-7 all-state forward said. “I trust him to make it and he made it.”

Rigg’s game winner wasn’t the only game-altering shot. Moments before that, Southeastern junior Mason Fry connected on a 3-pointer to tie the game. Fry finished with 10 points.

“These kids have kind of been nervous shooting the ball,” Ufkes said. “But I told them after tonight this is the kind of environment you have to play in, big games against good teams, to get your feet wet and get rid of the nerves, and maybe moving forward they will shoot with more confidence after they made big shots in a big scenario.”

The contest was the marquee boys game at the four-day event. Both teams entered undefeated and both are considered among the best in their respective classes in Illinois and Missouri. Southeastern (11-0) is the top-ranked team in the Illinois Associated Press Class 1A poll, while Bunker is No. 3 in Class 1 in the Missouri Basketball Coaches Association Top 10.

Eagles senior forward Cade Sutton led all scorers with 31 points and had a pair of dunks, including a thunderous slam in traffic. Stephens gave credit to Sutton for nearly carrying his team to victory.

“He had a great night. He was on fire,” Stephens said. “We haven’t played a player like that. It’s good now rather than in the postseason.”

The state-ranked squabble can only make Southeastern better in the long term.

“That’s why we schedule games like this. We want to play the toughest schedule we can to get ready for the postseason,” Ufkes said.

Southeastern will break for the Christmas holiday before setting its sights on the Macomb-Western Holiday Tournament. The Suns’ are seeded second in the 16-team tournament and will face Abingdon-Avon in the opening round at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Western Hall. 

“We’re excited for the Macomb Tournament. We know there are a lot of really good teams,” Rigg said. “It will be very tough to stay undefeated.”