A foul 60 feet from the basket with 3 seconds left helped MNU secure a 91-90 victory at Park on Tuesday night. With the game tied in the closing seconds,
Nick Syrie was fouled after receiving in the inbounds pass. The senior split the free throws, and the Pioneers won by one.
MNU came out on fire in the first half, missing just 3 two-point shots in the entire period. The Pioneers built a 13-point lead with 8 minutes to go, but Park closed the half well and even tied the score before MNU took a 47-44 lead to the locker room. MNU shot 67% in the half while holding Park to 35%. Park hit 14 free throws to the Pioneers' 5, however, to keep the game close.
In the second half, the Pioneers came out strong again and built a 17-point lead with 8 minutes to play. A 9-0 run by the Pirates sparked the crowd, and after a bucket by
Gabriel Jordan momentarily stopped the bleeding, Park scored the next 7 points to cut the deficit to 3. With 2 minutes to go, MNU led by 2.
Justin Randall scored to put the Pioneers up 4, but Park came right back. With 9 seconds left and MNU up by 2, Park inbounded the ball under their own basket. A loose ball bounced right to a Pirate who buried a 15-foot jumper to tie it, but Syrie was fouled quickly after getting the ensuing inbounds pass, and MNU held on.
Justin Randall had 19 points and 5 rebounds.
Jonas Page shot 6-8 from the field for 17 points and 5 boards.
Hudson Welty added 15 points on 6-7 shooting with 6 rebounds and 4 assists.
Gabriel Jordan was 6-8 for 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Jordan Whelan had 12 points off the bench. And
Nick Syrie had 9 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals.
MNU is 6-2 (1-1 Heart). The next game is Wednesday at home vs. Avila (6-1, 1-1) at 7:30.
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