Men's Basketball Falls in Overtime Thriller

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — The St. Mary's University Men's Basketball team fought back from an 18-point deficit with 12:36 remaining to force overtime, but the Midwestern State University Mustangs were able to hold on in the extra period for the 108-104 victory.
 
The Rattlers (2-1) used a 25-7 run over the next 7:25 to knot the score at 71-71. StMU gained an 86-81 lead with 23 seconds left, but a three-pointer in the corner by Austin Lewis with seven seconds left and the ensuing free throw knotted the score to force overtime.
 
MSU defended its home court and moved to 4-0 on the season by going a perfect 7-for-7 from the field in overtime but were only 3-for-7 at the free throw line, keeping the door slightly open for the Rattlers. A triple by senior Lachlan Bofinger (Sydney, Australia) with nine seconds left cut the deficit to three, but MSU held on for the win.
 
Senior Davion Coleman (Houston) led with a game-high 27 points, while senior Keith Dinwiddie (Los Angeles) hit a career-best six three-pointers for 23 points, bettering his previous career-high by nine points (14 at Washington, 11/7/22). Senior Tyler Caron (Longview, Texas) chipped in a season-high 18 points and led the team with eight rebounds. Senior Jalon Johnson (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) led the team with six assists and didn't record a turnover in 32 minutes.
 
The Rattlers posted a school record 29 offensive rebounds (Division II era), breaking the previous record of 28 against Huston-Tillotson on Dec. 1, 2009. St. Mary's out-rebounded the Mustangs 62-to-33 in the game, holding MSU to eight offensive boards.
 
Pierre Sanders for the Mustangs recorded a triple-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds and 13 assists, while Lewis led a group of seven players in double-figure scoring with 21. Duncan Alevok blocked a game-high seven shots, while senior Seny N'Diaye (Dakar, Senegal) blocked three for the Gold and Blue.
 
The Rattlers return home to host the newest program in Texas, College of Biblical Studies – Houston on Tuesday at 5 p.m. before beginning conference play at Western New Mexico on Nov. 30.