When his Class 6A Division I bidistrict playoff game went to overtime Tuesday, Round Rock coach Travis Levie knew his team could handle the pressure. 

The Dragons had already played three games this season that went at least one extra session, including one less than three weeks ago, so what’s one more? 

In the fifth straight meeting between the schools in the playoffs, Round Rock outscored Lake Travis 10-5 in overtime for a 67-62 win at Eastside High School. 

“We just sat there on the bench before the overtime and talked about that, ‘Hey, all those other overtime games we’ve been in this season were for this situation,’” Levie said. “And our guys stepped up and made plays they needed to against an absolute great program and great coach.” 

The Dragons forced the extra session thanks to forward Teyo Barnett. 

Grabbing a missed Lake Travis free throw with 9 seconds left and Round Rock trailing 57-55, Barnett sprinted down the court for a coast-to-coast layup after weaving through a couple of defenders in the air in for the game's most important play. 

“As soon as the ball was (missed), I was like, ‘I have to go get that,’” Barnett said. “I was looking for (Max Lipnisky) or to see if anyone was down court to try and get an easy (basket). No one was there, so I figured I would just take it all the way.”

Barnett was fouled on the play but didn’t get to shoot the free throw after suffering “the worst cramps I’ve ever had” in both his legs. His substitute missed, and after a desperation shot at the buzzer by the Cavs, both Matthew Holland and Javeon Taylor had three points to spur Round Rock in overtime. 

“I’m just happy we won,” Barnett said. “We’ve got a lot of seniors, so being able to get them another game made my week. ... After the game was the loudest and happiest I’ve ever seen this team.”

Neither team led by more than six in a back-and-forth contest where there were 19 lead changes. 

Lipnisky dominated the second half for Round Rock and kept Lake Travis from pulling away when it seemed the Cavs had momentum. He scored 20 of his game-high 25 points after the break, including hitting four 3-pointers in a 5-minute stretch late in the third quarter and early in the fourth. 

“I was feeling it even after missing my first three 3-pointers,” said Lipnisky, a sophomore who could be one of the area’s better players the next two years. “That was the kind of night it was for me mentally. I was going out and attacking my shot, and that was the mindset coming in.” 

After Lake Travis (25-9) won three of the previous four playoff meetings, Lipnisky noted this result means a little extra for the Dragons.  

“This was more than just the first round; this was a revenge game for us, especially the seniors,” he said. 

The teams will have to make runs to the regional final to meet next year in the postseason. They were placed in the same district in UIL realignment and will play twice in the regular season. 

But Round Rock (24-8) holds bragging rights for now, thanks to its overtime excellence.

“Coach just told us he trusts us (before the overtime),” Lipnisky said. “He said to keep it rolling and give whatever gas we had left. He thought we would (win the game), and we did.” 

Will Slyker poured in 24 points to lead Lake Travis.

Scoring

Round Rock: Max Lipnisky 25, Teyo Barnett 15, Matthew Holland 9, Aaron Epstein 9, Cole Cassidy 6, Javeon Taylor 3

Lake Travis: Will Slyker 24, Alex Jacob 12, Kade Shaver 11, Aaron Mathis 7, Tate Tapken 7