#MustangsWin! Mustangs Survive Overtime and Advance to AMC Semifinals for Ninth Straight Season!

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Springfield, Mo. – Looking to win an American Midwest Conference quarterfinal for the ninth consecutive season, Central Baptist College men's basketball took on Crowley's Ridge College this afternoon at W.E. Dowell Fieldhouse. CBC (11-16) led at halftime, surrendered the lead and eliminated CRC (11-18) 79-73 in overtime.

            "Wasn't a pretty game for 35 minutes, but happy our guys stuck together and "found a way" together," said head coach Cody Henson. "It's all about surviving and advancing. I'm looking forward to battling again with this group tomorrow."

            Tyler Johnson led four Mustangs in double figures with 22 points while Dalton Alexander III added 16 and Caleb Knight and MacArthur Reed, Jr., both had 13. The game was turned from beyond the arc and at the free throw line, where CBC was plus-15 points from three and plus—13 points at the charity stripe.

GAME FLOW

            CBC trailed for the first 6:38 before a Keshun Brown free throw made the score eight-all. The Mustangs didn't trail the rest of the half, leading by as many as 10 before taking a 31-27 lead into halftime.  

            CBC couldn't hold CRC down to open the second half and the Mustangs trailed until the 1:54 mark left to play when a Johnson three put CBC up 59-57. The Pioneers tied the game on the ensuing possession before Dalton Alexander swiped the ball away from Azani Smith and cruised in for a layup to put CBC up 61-59 with 59 seconds to go. The Pioneers tied the game at 61 with a put back and Knight's three at the buzzer was off the mark, sending the game into overtime.

            CBC put the game away early in the extra period, getting a Devon Jefferson and a three by Alexander to go ahead 66-61 in the first 32 seconds. The lead never dropped below four again as CBC went 10-12 from the free throw line to advance to the semifinals for the ninth straight season.

UP NEXT

            The Mustangs will take on the top-seed and #15 team in the nation, the Columbia Cougars, in tomorrow's semifinal round with a trip to the title game on the line. Tipoff from Dowell Fieldhouse is scheduled for 2:15 p.m.