ATHENS — If this game had been on ESPN, it would have been an instant classic.

The Belpre Eagles outlasted the Fairland Dragons 68-66 in double overtime Friday to win the Division III sectional tournament at Athens High School.

The loss wasted a 27-point performance by the Dragons’ Chad Fisher. Fairland’s biggest downfall came at the foul line. They made just 15 of 31 free throw attempts.

“We had our chances,” said Fairland coach John McClung. “Belpre is very athletic and they’re going to make plays. We made some plays but they just made one at the end and we didn’t.”

Belpre took a 16-11 first quarter lead before Fairland rallied to tie the game 24-24 at the half.

Fisher scored 15 of Fairland’s 17 points in the third quarter as the Dragons took a 41-37 lead.

The Eagles then tied the game at 51-51 late to force overtime.

In the first overtime, the game was tied at 57 when Reggie Sims was fouled with two seconds left and had a chance to give Belpre the win but missed both shots forcing a second overtime.

Belpre led 62-58 early in the second overtime only to have Fairland tie the game at 66 with less than a minute to play.

Markie Tate hit a jumper with 24 seconds left to give Belpre the lead.

The Dragons had a chance to tie but missed a driving layup attempt.

“The shot was contested so it wasn’t an easy shot,” said McClung.

Tate led Belpre with 20 points while Sims scored 17.

Fairland (10-9) will play at River Valley Tuesday in an Ohio Valley Conference game.

Belpre will play in the district tournament at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 7, against Wheelersburg who upset unbeaten Oak Hill 57-51 in overtime.

Belpre 16 8 13 14 6 11 = 68

Fairland 11 13 17 10 6 9 = 66