Box Score
Video Recap |
Highlights | The Pioneers trailed by 12 with 8 minutes remaining, but a depleted MNU squad found a way to come back in a 1-point thriller over Missouri Valley on Saturday. The game was even through the first 12 minutes of play, but the Pioneers went on a 16-3 run to take a 13-point lead. Valley finished the last 5 minutes of the half on an 18-7 run to get within 2, and the Pioneers couldn't regain control. Starting guard
Nick Syrie had been sick all day and unable to go in the second half, and Valley took advantage. When
Conner Langrehr took an inadvertant elbow from a teammate, he was lost for the game and the Pioneer rotation was disrupted. When starters
David Clark and
Brandon Newton got their 4th fouls, it seemed like it wasn't going to be MNU's night, but
Rustin Dowd got hot.
MNU trailed by 10 with 6 minutes left when Dowd hit back-to-back 3s to get back in the game. A couple of defensive stops and fast breaks later,
Brandon Newton calmly nailed 2 free throws to put the Pioneers up by 1. The teams traded points until MNU led by 4 with a minute left. Valley's Jordan Epps (29 points) nailed a 3 to get the Vikings within 1, and got the ball back after MNU failed to score. Valley inbounded the ball underneath their own basket with 2 seconds left, but
Luke Thomas blocked the potential game-winning shot and the Pioneers escaped with a 78-77 victory.
Rustin Dowd had 23 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals.
Jacob French had 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Brandon Newton had 10 points and 6 rebounds.
David Clark had 8 points and 4 assists. And
Luke Thomas had 10 points, 8 rebounds, a 1 huge block.
The Pioneers are 21-7 (13-3 HAAC). The next game is Thursday at #11 Evangel (21-5, 14-2) at 7:30. MNU played their best game of the season in a 14-point victory over the Crusaders in Olathe last month. Evangel hasn't lost since and sits 1 game ahead of the Pioneers in the standings.
