By RANDY GONZALES

rgonzales@dailynews.net

Senior Jordan Niernberger's YouTube moment helped the Hays High School boys' basketball team escape with a 56-51 win over Salina South.

In Tuesday night's game at the Hays High gym, the Indians were clinging to a six-point lead with under two minutes to play.

The 6-foot-7 Niernberger was being double-teamed on the right wing when he fired a two-handed, over-the-head pass intended for senior Travis Pfannenstiel, who was wide open under the basket. Instead, the ball went through the basket for a 3-pointer and a 48-39 lead with 1:45 left in the game.

"Coach Keltner called a play," Niernberger said. "It was supposed to be a lob to Travis on the backside. They double-teamed me. I raised my hands ... I thought it was going to hit the net.

"Either way, I think we were going to score," he added.

Hays High (10-4) didn't appear to need any late heroics, leading by as many as 13 points in the third quarter and up by nine entering the fourth. But Salina South (2-11) closed the gap after Niernberger's second 3-pointer of the season, outscoring HHS 12-6 to make it a one-possession game.

Hays High senior guard Bryant Bombardier was fouled with 12 seconds left. He made the first free throw for a 54-51 lead, but missed the second.

The Cougars raced downcourt, with junior Andy Wiechman shooting a hurried 3-pointer from the right wing. His shot didn't draw iron, and Bombardier was fouled after grabbing the rebound. His two free throws with 1.3 seconds remaining sealed the victory.

"Anytime you pull off a win at the end of the game, against a horrible team or a great team, it will help you," Niernberger said.

Salina South's guards hurt HHS with penetration during the comeback bid.

"Once we got a lead, I think we got a little content and didn't move our feet," Hays High coach Rick Keltner said.

Hays High shot 58 percent from the floor, but committed 19 turnovers.

"I think we had some pretty good shots when we didn't turn it over," Keltner said.

But Salina South hung around, making it close at the end.

"I thought they had some good shooters, made it a physical game," Keltner said.

Hays High jumped out to a 12-4 lead and was up 16-10 after the first quarter. The Indians -- who made their first five shots in the second quarter, including a fastbreak dunk by senior Dan Moritz -- doubled the score on the Cougars in the period to lead 26-15 at halftime.

The Indians took their biggest lead of the game on senior Dexter Pfeifer's bucket 46 seconds into the second half before taking a 38-29 lead heading into the final eight minutes.

Junior guards Devin Smith and Demetrias Jones led Salina South with 12 points each, and Wiechman scored 10.

Niernberger scored 11 for Hays High, and senior Derek Meyer hit three 3-pointers and finished with 10 points.

Hays High resumes Western Athletic Conference play on Friday at Garden City.