Liberty's K.J. Williams had a rough start against Emmaus in the 2013 Yasso-Rothrock Christmas City Classic.

But despite that slow start that was plagued by foul trouble in the first half, Williams came up with the game's biggest play when it mattered most.

After posting two points in the first half, and seeing the teams head into overtime after a 45-45 tie in regulation, Williams scored the team's first five points of the extra session to help lead the Hurricanes to a 55-47 victory on Saturday night at Liberty High School.

"K.J. got in foul trouble in the first half," head coach Chad Landis said. "He had two and sat most of the first half. So he was the one fresh guy we had coming into the second half. We looked at him to step up in those big spots."

Williams, who finished with 16 points and five rebounds, hit a three-pointer from the right wing that put the Hurricanes ahead 48-47.

A little more than a minute later, Williams scored on a driving layup that put the Hurricanes up by three with 1:52 to play, a lead that wouldn't be threatened again.

"That was big because he stepped up," said DeShawn Oyeniyi, who scored a game-high 18 points. "He had to just take his time, and be patient with his game."

The Hurricanes then proceeded to hit five of six free throws in overtime, and made 16 of 17 attempts for the game (including a perfect seven-of-seven from Williams).

"We've actually shot foul shots not very well in our first two scrimmages and in the preseason," Landis said. "I was very happy to see us come out and knock down foul shots. That makes everything else go a little easier, especially when you're missing some of the shots we missed tonight."

Oyeniyi - who was named Liberty's player of the game with 18 and 13 rebounds-struggled a bit early as well. He had six points at the half, but shot just 3-of-8 in that stretch and hauled in two boards.

Oyeniyi came to life in the second half, and was key in propelling the Hurricanes into overtime. He first hit two free throws that tied the game at 43 with under two minutes to play.

Then, after the Hornets took a two-point lead in the final minute, Oyeniyi rebounded his own miss and connected on a put back shot to tie the game back up at 45 with 32 seconds to play.

"We were motivated going into the game," Oyeniyi said. "It was a little sloppy during the beginning so we just had to take our time and push the tempo."

Despite failing to hold a lead for the first half and trailing by one at the break, the Hurricanes opened up the third with a quick basket to go in front for the first time. Williams made a spin move in the paint and connected on a three-point play to put the Hurricanes up 23-21.

The teams traded the lead six times in the second half, and the game was tied on five different occasions. Neither team led by more than three points over the final 16 minutes of regulation.

"Emmaus has never played any different," Landis said. "They're as tough as anybody in our league. They really get after you, and they take away what you want to get."

Anthony Miller added 10 points and nine rebounds for the Hurricanes.

David Kachelries scored 14 points and Nate Feiertag added 11 for the Hornets.

When the Hurricanes' season came to an end last year, Landis was stuck on win No. 99. Friday's season-opening win over the Hornets gave the Liberty coach 100 career wins.

"We've had terrific players," Landis said. "We've had some of the most talent come through this place in the last five years as anywhere.

"I've had great assistant coaches. The guys who have helped me most times are smarter than I am. They're just willing to help."