In a game that came down to the final second, Orono held off a last-minute push by Waconia to upset the Wildcats, 50-48.

Waconia had beaten Orono twice in the regular season.

Spartans senior Jordan Smith’s third-chance shot found the net with 15 seconds left, and then with one second on the clock, Waconia’s Ben Kortuem’s three-point attempt just rimmed out and Orono was victorious.

“We’re going to savor this one,” said Spartans coach Barry Wohler, who had watched his team come back from an 18-point deficit the previous day to win in overtime. “So many guys are just stepping up and accepting their roles.”

Orono led for most of the first half after jumping out to an 18-13 start on consecutive three-pointers from Smith, who finished with 22 points and six rebounds. Orono went to intermission up 25-19 on another Smith basket from long-range.

But the Wildcats made a run in the second, tying the score on Alex Schmitt’s three-point play and kept it close for most of the second half. Orono was able to weather Waconia’s attacks and stay on top as Smith and Brady Wohler stayed hot from the outside.

Then — after falling back eight — Schmitt hit a pair of free throws to bring it within two with less than two minutes to play. Orono then missed two immediately after to give the Wildcats hope. Waconia attacked with Kortuem knocking down a 22-footer with 45 seconds remaining to put the Wildcats up 48-47.

“For a second, I was like ‘Oh, no,’” Smith said. “He’s a great shooter, he’s given us trouble all year long.”

This time they were able to pull it out. In the final minute, Smith converted his shot and Daniel Drew sank a free throw to seal the deal.

“These were our first two close games in a long time. We kind of ran through our section,” Smith said. “I think we proved ourselves. You don’t know how you’re going to react in high-pressure situations.”