Pioneers Gut Out Overtime Victory

Highlights

The Basics
Score: MNU 99 - Evangel 97 (OT)
Record: MNU (19-8, 14-7), EU (20-7, 15-6)
Location: Cook Center - Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. - The Pioneers survived a crazy finish in regulation to beat #24 Evangel 99-97 in overtime on Thursday. MNU spread the wealth and started the game on a 8-3 run in the first two minutes. A three-pointer and free-throws from Ed Wright and dunks from Anthony Brown extended the Pioneer lead to 14 with 4:16 left in the first half. Another Ed Wright three-pointer and a free throw from Caleb Jones-McCrary helped the Pioneers extend their lead to 18 with just over a minute left in the half. Closing free throws from the Valor cut the Pioneer lead to 14 points going into halftime.

The Valor started the second half outscoring the Pioneers 11-4 to cut the Pioneer lead in half, making the score 52-45 with 17 minutes remaining in the game. Tough baskets from Mekhi Elmore and Caleb Jones-McCrary helped the Pioneers reestablish a double digit lead with 11:53 remaining. Evangel outscored the Pioneers in the last 10 minutes of play and cut the Pioneer lead to 1, but a momentum-swinging three-pointer from Jake Alexander put the Pioneers back up by 4 with 3:36 remaining. Baskets from Jones-McCrary and Alexander, along with a huge three-pointer from Elmore extended the Pioneer lead back to 8 with just under 2 minutes left. But the Valor came streaking back and a three-pointer cut the Pioneer lead to 2 with 51 seconds left. With 8 seconds remaining, Brooks Langrehr buried 2 free throws to put MNU up by 3. The Pioneers chose to foul Evangel to avoid a game-tying 3, and Kobe Reece was able to secure the intentionally-missed second free throw with 5 seconds left. After an Evangel foul, MNU split the free throws for another 3-point lead. MNU chose to foul again, but the timing was poor and Evangel was in the act of shooting a desperation heave. With 1.1 seconds left, the first of 3 free throws was good. The second shot missed, however, and Evangel needed to miss intentionally again for a chance to tie. The ball bounced into the hands of an Evangel big, and he flipped the rebound up and in for the tie at the buzzer.

In overtime, MNU was without starters Anthony Brown and Caleb Jones-McCrary, who fouled out late in regulation. Mekhi Elmore quickly followed, and the Valor took their first lead of the game 91-89 with 3:44 left to play. Free throws from Brooks Langrehr and a basket from Ed Wright gave the Pioneers the lead back 93-91 with 2:17 remaining. Key defensive stops for the Pioneers and Ed Wright free throws extended the Pioneer lead to 4 with 1:46 left. But a pair of deep threes from Evangel made the score 99-97 with 11 seconds remaining. Two missed MNU free throws gave Evangel one final chance, but a good look at a 3-pointer rimmed off at the buzzer, and MNU held on to win.
 
Turning Point
MNU went on an 8-0 run in overtime to turn a 2-point deficit into a 6-point lead.

Inside the Box Score
Evangel took 15 more shots than MNU.

Individual Leaders
Ed Wright shot 12-19 for 32 points and 3 steals. Mekhi Elmore shot 7-9 for 19 points and 7 assists. Caleb Jones-McCrary had 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Anthony Brown added 12 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. Jake Alexander had 12 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals. And Brooks Langrehr hit 4 clutch free throws for 9 points off the bench.

Up Next
The next game is Saturday at home vs. Graceland (18-9,13-8) at 4:00.