Box Score
Highlights | MNU came back from 16 down with 9 minutes left in a 98-95 overtime victory over #22 CMU on Saturday. The Pioneers started with an 8-2 run but CMU answered with a 14-2 run to take a 6-point lead. The rest of the half was tight and MNU took a 3-point lead into the locker room. MNU's
Conner Langrehr and CMU's Melvin Tillman went back and forth, scoring 18 and 17 points respectively. The Eagles came out strong in the second half, and a 13-0 run put the Pioneers down 16 with just over 9 minutes to play. The MNU defense held CMU scoreless for the next 4 minutes to get back within 6, but a 3-pointer from CMU's John Palmer pushed the lead back to 9 with 5 minutes to go.
Nate Launius,
Luke Thomas, and
Nick Syrie combined for 10 points in the final minutes of regulation while CMU was held to a single bucket. Syrie's floater in the lane tied the game with 20 seconds left, and the Pioneer defense held firm at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.
In overtime MNU made just 2 buckets, but nailed 12 free throws to build a 2-possession lead in the final seconds. Tillman drilled a half-court shot at the buzzer, but MNU held on to win by 3.
Defending national player of the week Melvin Tillman shot 17-32 for 40 points and 15 assists for the Eagles.
The MNU bench outscored the CMU bench 37-0.
Conner Langrehr led MNU with 26 points off the bench on 10-14 shooting.
Luke Thomas recorded his NAIA-best 21st double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
Nick Syrie had 16 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. And
David Clark (14),
Brandon Newton (11), and
Nate Launius (10) reached double figures.
The next game is Tuesday at Peru State (9-16, 4-11) at 7:30.
