Wayne State 63 Minnesota, Crookston 62
Vontrell Seroyer made two free throws with three seconds remaining to lift Wayne State College in a 63-62 come-from-behind win over Minnesota, Crookston Friday evening in Northern Sun Conference men's basketball played at Rice Auditorium in Wayne. The win keeps WSC alive for the eighth and final spot in the NSIC Sanford Health Men's Basketball Tournament next week, moving the Wildcats to 12-13 overall and 8-13 in the NSIC while Minnesota, Crookston drops to 7-18 on the season and 3-18 in league play.
The Wildcats got off to a strong start, taking a 13-6 lead with 11:42 to play in the first half following an Amry Shelby layup. But the Golden Eagles scored the next eight points and took a 14-13 lead on a three pointer by Jacolby Anderson with 9:48 to play in the half. After WSC took 21-18 lead following a Derrell Williams free throw with 4:03 to play in the half, UMC went on an 8-0 run to grab a 26-21 lead on a Larry Brown layup with 1:19 to play until halftime. WSC used two free throws from Brad Starken and one by Ben Tasa with 14 seconds to go in the half to cut the Golden Eagle lead to 26-24 at halftime.
WSC opened the second half with a three pointer by Brad Starken and a jumper from Jason Jensen to take a 29-28 lead with 19:00 remaining. That would be the last Wildcat lead until the final 29 seconds of the game. Minnesota, Crookston went on a 11-2 run and took their biggest lead of the night at eight points, 39-31 with 15:24 to play, following a Larry Brown layup. The Wildcats got as close as one numerous times but could never regain the lead.
Minnesota, Crookston took a 58-51 lead on a pair of Larry Brown free throws with 3:24 to play in the game. A three pointer and basket by Brad Starken trimmed the Golden Eagle advantage to two points at 58-56 with 2:47 left. UMC's Larry Brown scored again at the 1:22 mark, giving the Golden Eagles a 60-56 lead. Vontrell Seroyer made a three point play with 51 seconds to play, cutting the UMC lead to 60-59.
Following a UMC turnover, WSC got the ball back and Seroyer drove to the basket and was fouled, making two free throws with 29.6 seconds to play putting WSC in front 61-60. Brown answered on the next UMC possession, scoring with 13 seconds to play giving the Golden Eagles a 62-61 lead. WSC called a timeout with 11 seconds left and got the ball to Seroyer, who drove to the basket and was fouled by Brown with three seconds to play. Seroyer sank both free throws, giving WSC a 63-62 lead.
Minnesota, Crookston inbounded the ball and got it to Eric Dearden, who raced just inside the top of the key and his running 16 footer curled in and out of the rim as Wayne State hung on for the 63-62 win.
Senior forward Brad Starken led WSC in scoring with 19 points followed by Ben Tasa's career-high 16 points on 5 of 8 shooting from the floor and 6 of 8 at the free throw stripe. Seroyer also reached double figures, finishing with 11 points including the game winning free throws with three seconds to play. WSC shot just 41.9 percent from the field, making 18 of 43 shots including 3 of 13 from three point range. The 'Cats were 24 of 30 at the free throw line.
Larry Brown led all scorers for Minnesota, Crookston with 25 points, going 10 of 19 from the field. Almir Krdzalic scored 13 points with Adam Hendricks finishing with 12. UMC made 23 of 50 shots for the game for 46 percent. The Golden Eagles were 3 of 11 from the three point line and 13 of 16 at the free throw stripe.
UMC held a sizeable 34-22 edge in rebounding over WSC thanks to eight boards by Eric Dearden while Starken, Amry Shelby and Jason Jensen each grabbed four rebounds for the Wildcats.
Wayne State will be at home again Saturday evening at 6:00 p.m. hosting MSU Moorhead on Senior Night at Rice Auditorium in Wayne.
