PINEVILLE, Louisiana – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men’s basketball team stormed back from a 22-point second half deficit to send the game to overtime but saw a lead slip away in the third extra period as the Cru fell to Louisiana College 125-121 in triple overtime Saturday in Pineville. UMHB drops to 12-3 overall and 3-3 in American Southwest Conference play with the loss. The Wildcats improve to 11-2 overall and 5-1 in the ASC with the victory.
The Cru trailed 70-48 with 14:08 left in regulation before going on a 43-20 run to grab a 91-90 lead on Shaqur Martin’s three-pointer with 39 seconds remaining. LC tied it at 93 and Demarius Cress’ potential game-winning three was just off the mark at the buzzer. UMHB had two three-point leads in the first overtime, but could not hold off the Wildcats as the game went to a second extra session at 103-103. The Cru erased a five-point deficit in the second overtime and tied the game on a Martin three-point play to force a third overtime. UMHB built a 121-117 lead in the final OT, but went scoreless over the final 2:15 as Louisiana College battled back to get the win. LC had a 45-31 lead at halftime before extending that advantage in the second half.
Sam Moore had a huge game for the Cru with 35 points and 24 rebounds. His rebound total tied the UMHB single-game record. Brian Long added 26 points before fouling out, Cress had 20, Martin scored 17 points and pulled down 10 rebounds and LaKendric Hyson had 10 points. The Cru shot 55 percent from the field in the second half and hit 40 percent for the game. UMHB also hit 29-32 from the free-throw line and only turned the ball over seven times.
Devon Washington led the Wildcats with 25 points and 13 rebounds. Denzel Austin and Jaylen Rhone added 21 points apiece, Kae’ron Baker chipped in 18 points and Lashard Powell scored 10 more. LC shot 52 percent as a team and was over 50 percent in every period of the game. The Wildcats also out rebound UMHB 57-48 on the night.
The Cru will return to action with the start of ASC West Division play. UMHB will host Hardin-Simmons on Thursday before taking on McMurry University on Saturday at the Mayborn Campus Center.
