The SBU men's basketball team fought through 3 overtimes against the Washburn Ichabods as they came away with a thrilling 104-98 victory. With the win, SBU's record improves to 9-11 (4-10 MIAA).
The Ichabods were the first to score with a layup a minute into the game but Brian Patterson would turn around and score his own to tie the game 2-2. After a foul sent Washburn to the line, Kalehl Brown would hit a 3-pointer to give the Bearcats their first lead of the game (5-4) with 16:40 left in the half. The scoring was close with Washburn gaining the lead on a jumper putting the score at 9-7. Washburn went on a 5-0 run to extend their lead before Logan Hovey was able to score on a layup to pull the Bearcats within 4 (14-10). Cartier Dean dished it off to Kai Woodfall who hit a 3-pointer to pull them within a single point and after 2 free throws by Washburn, Woodfall scored another 3-pointer to tie the game 16-16. Washburn pushed ahead with a jumper but a 3-pointer by Patterson put the Bearcats back on top 19-18 with 7:55 on the clock. Washburn would go on their second 5-0 run before Andy Campbell cut it off with a shot from behind the arch to bring the score up to 23-22 Washburn. After a Patterson layup, Washburn went on a 7-0 run to push ahead of the Bearcats 30-24 with 2:42 left in the half. SBU continued to fight back with two Hovey layups and free-throw to pull with 1 (30-29). The Bearcats were able to tie it up at 30 with a free-throw from Kalehl Brown. Washburn pulled ahead with a jumper but a last second 3-pointer from Kalund Brown sent the Bearcats into the half in the lead 33-32.
The second half was scoreless for the first two minutes before Washburn was able to score with a layup. However, SBU quickly turned around and scored on their own layup from Kalund Brown to keep the lead 35-34. A layup and free-throw from Washburn put the Bearcats down but Dean was able to get in the paint to score a layup to tie the game 37-37 with 16:29 on the clock. The game remained tight with every shot Washburn made, SBU answering back with points of their own. Washburn then started an 8-0 run to take a 47-39 lead with 12:13 left in the game. SBU continued to fight back with Patterson and Campbell layups to put the score at 49-13, WU. Washburn scored to push their lead to 8 points but a Campbell 3-pointer from Woodfall cut the Washburn lead to 5 points (51-46). Two back-to-back layups from Patterson pulled SBU within a single point (51-50) with 7:14 in the game. Despite a Washburn free-throw and layup, Kalehl Brown went on a solo 5-0 run to put the Bearcats up 55-54. Two layups from Patterson kept the Bearcats on top 59-56 with 3:26 left in the game. A Washburn layup gave them the lead but a Kalehl Brown 4-0 run gave SBU the lead back 63-60. Washburn was forced to foul as SBU would pick up 3 points from free throws to put them up 66-63 but a last second 3-pointer from Washburn sent both teams into overtime with a score of 66-66.
A quick Kalund Brown jumper from Kalehl Brown put SBU in the lead 68-66 early in the overtime. After 2 free throws from Washburn tied it back up, Woodfall scored a 3-pointer to put the Bearcats in the lead with 4:07 left in overtime. A 5-0 run by Washburn switched the lead to the Ichabods but Patterson free throws retied the game 73-73. After 2 free throws by Washburn, Patterson dished it off to Kalehl Brown who scored in the paint to tie the game 75-75 with 1:07 on the clock. Free throws went to both teams but Washburn maintained a slim lead over SBU. As the overtime clock wound down, SBU's Dean shot a buzzer beater 3-pointer to send the teams into a second overtime tied 80-80.
Free throws from Washburn started the second overtime to put them up by 1, but Dean hit both of his free throw attempts to give SBU the lead again. A layup and jumper pushed Washburn ahead to make the score 85-82 with 3:20 on the clock. A free-throw by Kalehl Brown and a 3-pointer by Dean put SBU back on top by 1 (86-85). After free throws from Washburn, a foul sent Dean to the free-throw line where he made 1 of 2 to tie the game 87-87 which sent the teams into the 3rd overtime.
A Kalehl Brown 3-0 run pushed SBU to an early 90-87 lead. Despite Washburn shooting 4 of 4 free throws, SBU shot 5 of 6 free throws to maintain the 95-91 lead. A Woodfall 3-pointer extended their lead 98-91 with 0:40 left on the clock. After a single free-throw by Washburn, Woodfall hit 2 free throws to hit the 100 point mark and extend the Bearcat lead by 8 (100-92). A late 3-pointer by Ichabods landed, but 4 more free throws by SBU went in and the Bearcats would win 104-98.
The Bearcats had 5 players in double-figures in their win over Washburn. Leading the way was Brian Patterson with 23 points while Kai Woodfall chipped in 16 points. Kalehl Brown had a career high 21 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 6 assists. Coming off the bench, Cartier Dean had 17 points and 8 rebounds while Andy Campbell had 11 points and 8 rebounds. As a team, SBU shot 42.1% from the field, 27.5% from behind the arc, and 67.4% from the free-throw line.
The SBU men's basketball team's next game will be on the road as they face off against the Nebraska-Kearney Lopers on February 4, 2016. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Kearney, Nebraska.
