Box Score ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Will Harrington and Jared White each scored 19 points to help Missouri Baptist shock No. 9 Freed-Hardeman Saturday afternoon in R. Alton Lacey Gymnasium.
The win marked Missouri Baptist's (19-11, 14-8) second win over a Top 10 opponent this season and third over a Top 25 team. It also saw the program notch its highest win total since winning 23 games in the '05-'06 season. Freed-Hardeman (24-6, 18-4) saw its 12-game winning streak snapped in the loss.
The two juniors, along with fellow juniors David Gabrovsek and Chris Buzzell stole the show on Senior Day. After the Lions scored the first four points of the second half to lead 45-39 with 19:32 on the clock, the group of four helped Missouri Baptist take control.
Buzzell eventually tied the game at 47-all with a bucket and then consecutive 3-pointers from Harrington and Gabrovsek put MBU up six with 16:39 to go. Eventually, the Spartans, who trailed by as many as seven in the first half, opened up a 10-point lead, 63-53 after another Gabrovsek triple with 10:23 to go.
MBU shot 61.5 percent in the second half and its hot-shooting helped it take control. Will Harrington added 10 assists to notch a double-double, with six of those coming after halftime. However, there was no quit in the No. 9 Lions. Freed quickly turned the double-digit deficit into a four point advantage with a 20-6 run.
Orlando Bass, who finished with a game-high 20 points, Austin Dempsey and Evan Forhetz fueled the run. Dempsey's bucket with 5:10 left put Freed ahead 73-69. The Lions also led by that margin with 4:11 remaining until Harrington came up big again.
The junior from Lees Summit, Mo. splashed in a three to cut the deficit to 75-74. Freed answered with a bucket, but then a Buzzell drive got MBU back within one and Harrington gave the Spartans a 78-77 lead with 2:34 remaining after a nifty reverse layup off an offensive board.
Bass came through with a big 3-pointer for Freed-Hardeman to put the Lions up a point with 53 seconds left. But then, the Spartans who struggled miserably from the line all afternoon, knocked them down when it mattered most.
Gabrovsek, who was shoved from behind, during the 3-pointer, calmly knocked down both free throws to put MBU up 82-81. The Spartans forced a turnover on the ensuing Lions possession before White also hit both free throws to pad the lead to 85-82 with 28 seconds left.
Bass drew a foul on the next possession, but went 1-for-2 at the stripe to give White a chance to ice the game on the other end. After drawing a foul, White hit two clutch free throws with 13 seconds remaining to give MBU the 86-82 lead.
A missed three from Forhetz all but sealed the huge upset for the navy and white. The win also proved vastly important in regards to AMC Tournament implications. The victory gave MBU the No. 4 seed in the tournament, meaning they'll host a playoff game on Wednesday, March 2nd. They'll take on the 5-seed William Woods.
Senior John Caraballo added 11 points and nine rebounds in the win. Gabrovsek finished with 15 overall and 11 in the second half. Buzzell also reached double-figures with 10 points.
