In the end, those three points proved to be the difference in the game.

Davion White led the Hillbillies with 22 points and 10 rebounds, while Fry added 21 points, six rebounds and six assists as Fredonia held off a late Trojans’ rally to win their Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Athletic Association Division 1 West matchup 62-59 at Fredonia High School.

“We knew they were going to be aggressive. That’s a solid team that’s going to be a tough out in the Class B2 playoff bracket,” Fredonia head coach Nick Bertrando said. ” … From here on out, this is playoff mode. These are the teams that you are going to have to play and beat in order to advance.”

With the win, the Hillbillies improved to 13-5 overall and 6-2 in the league. They host Allegany-Limestone on Friday and travel to Olean next Monday to close out their regular-season schedule.

Fredonia’s Davion White dribbles to the basket as Southwestern’s Paul Hayes defends. OBSERVER Photo by Ashleigh Brown

Matt Pannes scored 24 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead Southwestern, which fell to 9-8 overall and 4-4 in the league. The Trojans host league-leading Salamanca (15-2, 8-0) on Thursday before closing their Division 1 West schedule next Monday at Allegany-Limestone.

“We can compete with (Fredonia). We had a five-point game with Salamanca and an overtime game with Allegany-Limestone,” Southwestern head coach Aaron Emley said. “You want to win league games, but it’s really just preparation for what you are going to see in the postseason.”

Fredonia led by 10 entering the fourth quarter Monday, and the Hillbillies’ lead grew to 12 when Mike Hahn made all three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt.

Pannes answered with a three-point play, and after a Fredonia free throw, the Trojans’ Jaydon Work hit a 3-pointer to make it 55-48 with 4:12 remaining.

Fry went 7 of 8 at the foul line down the stretch for the Hillbillies, but at the other end, Pannes hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Griffin Bogdanowicz added a third to make it 62-57. Fredonia then missed a pair of foul shots and Bogdanowicz tied up White on the rebound to get the ball back for the Trojans.

“At this point of the year, it’s all about playoffs,” Bertrando said. “We talk all the time about, at the end of the game, playing with poise, executing and making sure we take care of the ball, and ultimately knowing we’re going to have to step to the line and make some free throws.”

After a missed 3-pointer glanced off a Hillbillies player and went out of bounds, Work scored underneath on an inbounds play to make it a three-point game with a second remaining.

Work then stole the final inbounds play just over half-court, but there was no time remaining for a desperation 3-point attempt.

“I told them that I was proud of them for the way the scrapped back in it and at least competed in the second half,” Emley said. “There are a lot of things you can point to in a three-point ballgame.”

Fredonia led 14-11 after the first quarter before putting on a shooting clinic in the second quarter. During the period, the Hillbillies went 7 of 8 from 3-point range and all four of their free throws. Fry’s last-second heave made it 39-25 at the break.

“(Fry) makes it tough. I’m asking a guy to guard him at the point and he had triple-doubles in the last two games,” Emley said. “Traditionally in your help defense, you want those guys to help. They just didn’t miss. Tip your hat to them.”

Fredonia matched that 14-point lead on a three-point play from White midway through the third quarter.

“Davi has really become that three-level player where he’s able to score inside, he can put it on the deck, and he’s able to stretch the floor too,” Bertrando said. “Moving forward, just having his offensive capabilities, and the rest of the crew here, on any given night if somebody doesn’t have their best game, hopefully we can have that next guy step up.”

Three-pointers from Paul Hayes and Connor Young helped Southwestern stay within striking distance entering the final eight minutes, but the Trojans’ last-second comeback attempt came up short.

NOTES: Fredonia shot 17 of 36 from the field, including 8 of 17 from 3-point range, and turned the ball over nine times. … Southwestern finished 21 of 50 from the field, including 9 of 21 from 3-point range, and turned the ball over six times. Bogdanowicz had four steals for the Trojans. Pannes is 4 points shy of 1,000 for his career. … Fredonia won the jayvee game 83-33. RJ Koopman and Luca Gullo led the Hillbillies with 18 points apiece, while Brennan Lincoln added 16. Landon Hooks, Judd Harris and Gavin Milner each had 8 points for the Trojans.

SOUTHWESTERN (59)

Arrington 3 0 6, Young 1 0 3, Pannes 7 8 24, Bogdanowicz 3 0 9, Hayes 1 0 3, Lemk 2 0 4, Miller 2 0 5, Work 2 0 5. Totals 21 8 59.

FREDONIA (62)

Hahn 2 3 9, Whitfield 0 0 0, Fry 4 11 21, Putney 2 0 6, White 7 6 22, Hawk 2 0 4, Hall 0 0 0. Totals 17 20 62.

3-point goals–Young, Pannes 2, Bogdanowicz 3, Hayes, Miller, Work, Hahn 2, Fry 2, Putney 2, White 2.

Southwestern 11 14 14 20 — 59

Fredonia 14 25 10 13 — 62

Jayvees: Fredonia won 83-33.