Box Score
SAN ANTONIO — St. Mary's
Marvin Whitt came into Friday's game a bench player making his first career start with the Rattlers.
Forty-five minutes later, following a wild regulation and a grueling overtime against Central Missouri, the junior guard left without ever returning to the bench.
With Whitt's slashing play and clutch free-throw shooting down the stretch leading the way, the Rattlers outlasted the Mules 81-78 on the opening night of the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Classic at Bill Greehey Arena.
Whitt went 6 for 6 at the foul line over the waning seconds to maintain the Rattlers' lead, and UCM's Preston Brunz missed from about 30-feet out on a would-be tying 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Rattlers improved to 5-0 with the victory over the 4-1 Mules.
Playing all 45 minutes, Whitt scored a career-high 25 points and led the Rattlers in virtually every category, including points, rebounds (eight), assists (three) and steals (three).
"Coach challenged me," said Whitt, who went 14 for 14 at the free-throw line, setting a St. Mary's single-game record for most foul shots made without missing from the stripe. "We had a pretty good talk before the game. He wanted me to step it up and try to lead, even being a junior. I've got to give my coaches and teammates all the credit.
"I just wanted to compete with the team."
At the end of regulation, UCM's Daylen Robinson tied the game on a fastbreak layup with 2.7 seconds remaining after slicing past St. Mary's defense for an and-one opportunity. But with the chance for the go-ahead point, Robinson's free throw rattled out, giving the Rattlers renewed life.
It was renewed life that seemed to have dwindled thanks to injuries and foul trouble. Already without injured players
Isaiah Matthews and
Marvin Binney, the Rattlers had four players — including three big men — foul out.
Ife Eke played the entire overtime frame with four fouls and
Jared Anthony was the only Rattler reserve left on the bench for the extra session.
But in the end, the Rattlers found a way to survive for the pulse-pounding win.
"It was really and truly a team win," Whitt said. "It wasn't one guy playing good. It was everybody playing good team ball."
St. Mary's will return to action Saturday against Emporia State at 7:30 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena.
