Pioneers Fall in Double OT to Close Season

The Basics
Score: MNU 90 - Central Baptist 100 (2OT)
Record: MNU (25-6), CBC (26-6)
Location: Cook Center - Olathe, Kan.

OLATHE, Kan. – 3-seed MNU lost a heart-breaker 100-90 in double overtime to 14-seed Central Baptist in the 1st Round of the NAIA National Tournament on Friday. The game started slowly, as neither offense could get anything going in the first 5 minutes. CBC led 11-3 before the Pioneers finally found their footing and went on a run to close the gap to 18-17. The run included a bucket from Mekhi Elmore, who played his first game since breaking his foot in December. In the final minute of the 1st half, a 27-27 tie turned into a 7-point halftime lead as Anthony Brown scored 4 quick points and Ed Wright hit a 3 at the buzzer.

The Pioneers held the lead in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Mustangs chipped away and trailed by just 2 at the 13:49 mark. A quick burst by MNU put them up 7 after a Brooks Langrehr 3-pointer, but CBC reeled MNU back in and tied the game with 9 minutes remaining. The game was tight for the next several minutes, and MNU was able to take a 4-point lead after a Jake Alexander dunk with 2:37 left. But again the Mustangs fought back and tied the game with a 3 in the final minute. Neither team could manage a bucket, and the game went into overtime tied at 73.

Defense reigned in the first overtime, and the Mustangs held a 79-77 lead with 2.5 seconds left. Anthony Brown collected the inbounds pass under the basket, and hit a short floater to send the game to the second overtime. Free throws were the story over the second overtime, and Central Baptist hit 11-15 to pull away. The Mustangs built a 9-point lead with just under 2 minutes left, and the Pioneers could not dig out of the hole.

Turning Point
CBC's 11-2 run to start the 2nd OT was too much to overcome.

Inside the Box Score
MNU out-rebounded CBC 60-41, but the Mustangs won the turnover battle 18-11.

Individual Leaders
Anthony Brown wrapped his incredible career with 25 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals, and 3 blocks. Ed Wright had 22 points. Jake Alexander closed out his career with a valiant 17 points on 7-10 shooting, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals off the bench. And Gerard Bosch had 9 points and a season-high 19 rebounds.
 
Up Next
The next game is the 2024-25 opener in the Fall.