WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. – This time it was
Tyrell Andrews' turn to display some late game heroics for the Spartans. Thursday night in Conway, Ark.
Brendon Hardy sank a basket with 1.1 seconds left to snatch a victory from the Central Baptist University Mustangs. Andrews apparently didn't think that was dramatic enough on Saturday night against the Williams Baptist University Eagles. Down by two, and defending an inbounds pass along the baseline,
Daishaun Woods stole an errant WBU pass with two seconds left, found Andrews open on the wing in three-point territory, and Tyrell let it fly. Buzzer… splashdown… game over. The Spartans walked out of the Southerland-Mabee Center with an improbable 75-74 victory.
In a season that has shown a flair for the dramatic, this one might just top the list. MBU thought they would have to foul and hope for the best. Instead, the best found the waiting hands of Woods, who found the capable hands of Andrews. For the second time in two days, and the third time this season, the Spartans won a basketball game by two points or less.
MoBap shot the ball well throughout the game, finishing at 47% from the field and 39% from three-point territory. They also continued to raise their season free-throw average by shooting 16 of 21 from the stripe. Their season average has peaked over 70% for the first time all year. Meanwhile WBU shot only 35% from the field.
The first half of this game was almost a complete statistical draw. Each team had 13 field goals, but the Eagles had the advantage in three-pointers, five to two. The Spartans were more efficient though with a 46% success rate in the half. Still MBU led 35-33 at half.
The second half wasn't much different. The Spartans briefly built an eight-point lead by starting the second half on a 9-3 run. That quickly evaporated and turned into a deficit when WBU went on a 11-0 run over a span of 2:45. The Spartans wouldn't regain the lead until a Hardy three-pointer gave them a 56-54 lead with 10:28 remaining.
The final minute and 43 seconds were something to behold. Williams Baptist junior guard Duke Hardin broke a tie game and gave the Eagles a 71-68 lead with a three-pointer, his fifth of the game. The teams traded turnovers before Andrews answered with a three of his own to even it up. WBU's Ben Keaton, a transfer from Lyon College, nailed another three-pointer to put the Eagles back on top with just :25 left and it looked like the potential game winner. Not wanting to risk a potential three-point answer by MBU, the Eagles immediately fouled Andrews after he took an inbounds pass. Andrews hit the first free throw to get the Spartans within two, but missed the second. The ball went out of bounds and set up the final act in this classic win for the Spartans.
The Woods steal, the pass to Andrews, and the walk-off three.
Andrews led the Spartans in scoring with 22 points. Hardy was only other player in double-figures for MBU with 13. Senior guard
Jadis White had five assists.
Hardin of WBU led all scorers with 33 points, including 22 in the second half. Isaiah Thompson was two points short of a double-double with eight points and 12 rebounds.
With the victory, the Spartans stay unblemished in conference play at 4-0, and are back to positive in the win-loss column at 7-6. More importantly, they open up a little breathing room in the conference. After today's results, MBU is the only unbeaten team in the American Midwest Conference.
The Spartans will have a week off before they host the College of the Ozarks. The Bobcats and Spartans matched up once already this season on November 8, with MBU getting the victory, 78-64. The game is scheduled for Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
