The clock read 0:05 when the inbounds pass came in — and the Saline High School boys basketball team, down three points at Pioneer, had been hot from behind the arc, hitting nine triples.

But the whistle blew before the play could even get started. Traveling.

Pioneer senior David Veals scored an easy lay-in as time expired for a 56-51 victory on his team’s senior night.

After the game — a little too close for comfort — Pioneer coach Rex Stanczak said the experience would help his team in the upcoming, one-and-done postseason.

“A win like this is great when you’re heading into the postseason,” Stanczak said. “We have to learn to win the close games, because, once you get into the postseason, it’s always going to come down to the fourth quarter. It’s very rare to see a blowout in the postseason.”

Rest of the Story & Photo Gallery | Boxscore