CROOKSTON, MINN. -- Despite a furious late rally and 24 points from Charles Ward, the University of Sioux Falls men's basketball team (7-16, 4-13 NSIC) dropped a heartbreaking 73-70 decision in overtime to Minnesota-Crookston (7-14, 5-12 NSIC) on Friday night in Crookston, Minn.
The Cougars, which trailed 57-48 with 5:40 to go, closed on a 14-3 run to take a late two-point lead with three seconds to play. Ward, who scored 24 points, made two free throws that gave USF a 62-60 lead with three seconds left in the game.
On the ensuing possession, U-M Crookston tied the game in a miracle finish. On the inbounds toss with under a second to play, the ball hit the rim but Derrick Redd saved the day for the Golden Eagles by tipping the ball in the basket to force overtime. Initially, the game officials ruled that USF won the game but reconsidered and counted the basket. In the extra stanza, UM-Crookston outscored the Cougars, 11-8 with Tim Lubke scoring the final three points of the game to give the Golden Eagles the win and end a nine-game losing streak.
“This was a tough loss for our guys,” said seventh-year head coach Chris Johnson of USF, whose team dropped a ninth straight decision. “We played pretty well on the defensive end but offensively we struggled. With a loss like this, we have to stick together and find our way through it. Undoubtedly, it is a very tough way to lose. Still, our guys showed resilience and battled all night. We just didn't have enough left in overtime to pull out a tough road game,” added Johnson of a game that was tied eight times with nine lead changes.
Ward tied a season-high by making 11-of-13 free throws while hitting 6-of-18 from the floor and grabbing eight rebounds. The 20-point game by Ward was his ninth of the season, second in a row and 15th in his career. In addition, he has scored in double digits 21 times this season and 37 in his career. Also scoring in double digits was Mack Johnson with 19.
For UM-Crookston, Redd had 26 points, hitting 9-of-14 field goals, while Kevin Larson added 19 by hitting 7-of-10 shots and 4-of-5 from three-point range.
USF was 29-of-56 from the field for 44.6 percent but struggled from 3-point range by making just 2-of-14. The Cougars had just eight turnovers and for the 18th time in 23 games commanded the rebound edge with a 38-25 edge. USF also outshot the Golden Eagles at the foul stripe, 18 (26 attempts) to 14 (23 attempts). The difference on this night was UM-Crookston's proficiency from long distance as they made 11-of-22 for 50 percent.
In the last three games, opponents have found success from distance where USF has had their troubles. Opponents have connected on a combined 31-of-61 for 50.8 percent while the Cougars have hit just 12-of-45 for 26.6 percent.
Early on, the home standing Golden Eagles opened fast, taking an 8-2 lead after John Hughes and Larson had three-pointers. After Kebu Johnson of USF broke USF's four-minute scoring drought, the Cougars fought back to take a lead. With a 13-5 run, USF took a 13-12 lead (11:53) on a basket by Jordan Stotts, who had eight points on the night. USF pushed the lead to 20-15 on a three point hoop from Ward and a basket from Tom Aase. Then, the Golden Eagles rallied for a 23-22 lead on three-point play by Red at the 5:10 mark. Stotts again converted as Cougars took a 24-23 lead with 4:38 to go. In this back and forth affair, U-M Crookston rebounded with a 6-3 run to close the half with a 30-27 lead at the break.
In an equally entertaining second half, both teams exchanged baskets early before, USF took a 40-38 lead on a three-pointer from M. Jackson at the 14:43 mark. Johnson scored seven of USF's first 13 points after the break.
UMC answered the USF charge with an 8-0 run as Lubke's three-pointer and two free throws by Hughes gave the Golden Eagles a 46-40 lead with 11:16 left. Eventually, the Golden Eagles pushed the lead to nine at 57-48 with 5:40 to play on two free throws by Redd.
But in this game, no lead was safe, no matter the time or circumstances. The Cougars put together several stops on defense and dominated the final five minutes with their 14-3 run.
After Zach Wessels tied the game at 60 on a free throw with 15 seconds left, USF rebounded a missed shot by Redd and had their chance at a win after Ward was fouled and made two free throws. Then, the Golden Eagles had their miracle play from Redd to tie the game and won overtime to end their long losing spell, defeating USF for the first time.
On Saturday at 6 p.m., the Cougars will look to rebound with a road game at Bemidji State.
