Box Score Stats | The Pioneers played their 3rd consecutive overtime game and came away with an amazing 3OT 111-109 victory at Missouri Valley on Saturday.
In the first half, Valley led until the final seconds when the Pioneers took a 1-point lead to the locker room. The second half was tight throughout until Valley created some separation with a 4-point lead with 7 minutes left. The Pioneers outscored Valley by 8 in the next few minutes to take a 4-point lead of their own, but MNU could not buy a free throw down the stretch - missing 7 straight - and Valley nailed a 3 with 20 seconds left to take a 1-point lead.
Luke Thomas hit 2 free throws in the next possession, but MNU fouled Valley with 2 seconds left. Valley made the first to tie the game, but missed the second to send the game into overtime.
The teams played evenly in the first overtime, but the Pioneers had a chance to win the game in the final possession. MNU could not get a shot off as an errant pass bounced around at the buzzer, and the game went to a second overtime. With three players from both teams fouling out, the game was decided by the reserves. The Pioneers found themselves trailing by 3 in the final seconds, and after a desperation 3 was rebounded by
Nate Launius, he rifled a pass out to
Jason Garretson who nailed a 3 at the buzzer to tie the game. The Pioneers took the lead in the third overtime with a
Justin Collard jumper with 10 seconds left. MNU committed a foul with 0.8 seconds on the clock, but Valley missed the first free throw and couldn't convert an intentional miss/tip-in and MNU escape with the victory.
Jacob French had 24 points and 10 rebounds.
Conner Langrehr had 19 points.
Rustin Dowd was 10-10 from the line for 18 points and 5 rebounds.
Justin Collard recorded 14 points off the bench.
Luke Thomas scored all 13 of his points at the line while hauling in 8 rebounds.
David Clark had 10 points and 5 assists. And
Brandon Newton had 8 points and 4 rebounds off the bench.
The Pioneers are 14-5 (6-1 HAAC). The next game is for the lead in the HAAC as Evangel (13-4, 6-1) comes to Olathe at 7:30.
Garretson's 3 at the buzzer at the 15-minute mark
HERE.
