No. 11 Cavs survive another overtime thriller
PORTLAND, Ore. – Trailing by six with just 80 seconds remaining, No. 11 Concordia University staged a furious rally to score the final seven points of overtime and shock visiting Eastern Oregon University 68-67 Saturday night at Cavalier Gymnasium.
Prospects looked bleak for Concordia (19-4, 9-3 CCC) after Eastern Oregon (12-11, 4-9 CCC) capitalized on four Cavaliers turnovers in six possessions to start overtime to take a 66-60 lead.
With their backs against the wall, the Cavs turned to their reliable full-court press just in time. After a pair of free-throws by Esvan Middleton, Concordia forced three Mountaineers turnovers in 24 seconds, the final one resulting in a foul that sent Anthony Holton to the line with a chance to take the lead for the first time in the extra period.
Holton went 1-for-2 at the line, setting up a last-chance shot for Eastern's Austin Strock that caromed off the side of the rim and sent the home fans into a frenzy.
Concordia improved to 4-1 in overtime games this season.
The remarkably tight game ended in fitting fashion, as neither side led by more than a single basket for more than 19 minutes in the second half. Concordia shot 20-of-58 in regulation (34 percent), while Eastern went 19-of-54 (35 percent).
Surprisingly, the Cavs shot just 2-of-8 in overtime compared to 4-of-5 for the Mountaineers. However, the hosts went 6-for-8 from the line after regulation to make up the gap.
Eastern saw three players share the bulk of the scoring load, as De'Sean Mattox (19 points), Bryan McGriff (16) and Deonta Edwards (12) combined for 47 of the Mountaineers 67 in the game.
Concordia saw four of five starters reach double figures. Thomas Pierce, the only starter to fail to do so, led the team with 13 rebounds and just missed a double-double with nine points. Holton was the contest's high scorer with 20, while Justin Searle added 16, Tyler Velasquez had 12 and Esvan Middleton had 10. Middleton, the NAIA Division II's leading rebounder at 11.7 per game, also pulled down 11 boards to finish with his fifth double-double in six games and 12th overall.
Eastern Oregon next plays at home on Feb. 6 at 7:30 p.m. against College of Idaho. Concordia faces Corban in Salem at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6.