ARCO - The North Gem boys' basketball team had its season-opening game against 2A Butte County won Wednesday night.

All the 1A Divsion II Cowboys needed was a free throw to ice the game at the end of regulation, but the freebies wouldn't fall. The Pirates took advantage with a shot at the buzzer to force overtime, where they cruised to a 55-47 victory.

After leading 23-18 at the half, North Gem allowed Butte County to take a 32-28 lead into the fourth quarter before the Cowboys rallied to retake the lead. In overtime, though, the Pirates proved too much.

"That was a game we should've won on the road against a 2A school," North Gem coach Ken Christensen said of his team's opening-game effort. "So yeah, I was happy with it."

Austin Wuttke led the way for the Cowboys with 18 points, and both Colton Davids and Mitchel Hall added 10.

Rockland (0-1) will travel to 2A South Fremont on Saturday.