Basketball (Men's)
Overtime thriller lifts #24 SBU to 10-0
By
Dec 10, 2005, 18:37

[box vs. TSU]

BOLIVAR, MO. ... Bolivar's own Jim Grabowski banked home the tying three-pointer with 00:04 left in regulation to send the game to overtime where #24 Southwest Baptist completed their come-from-behind win over Truman State, 86-82.  SBU went 8-for-8 in OT from the free throw line to seal the win.

Jeff Guiot is now only the second coach in the history of the SBU basketball program to guide a team to 10-0.  Jerry Kirksey did it twice in 1992-93 and 1989-90.

Frans Steyn led all scorers with a career-high 24 points and career-high 15 rebounds.  Grabowski added 15 points while Sheldon Pace had 12 and Jamson Jemison 11.  Matt Brock had 21 points for TSU.

SBU was down, 46-41, in the second half with 14:45 to go when Steyn started a 16-2 run over the next six minutes to take a 57-48 lead (8:21).  TSU responded with their own run in the next four minutes with a 17-7 run to take a one-point lead, 65-64.  Chip Sodemann hit two free throws with 00:13 left to make TSU's lead three before Grabowski banked in the tying three-pointer with four seconds left.

In overtime, SBU's defense pushed the Bulldogs to their limit.  The Bearcats forced TSU to run down the shot clock three times.  SBU took a as large as a lead of six, 77-71, but TSU came back to within two, 84-82, with only 11 seconds left.  Colt Blair nailed two free throws with 00:07 left in OT to seal the victory. 

The first half was very competitive as there were seven ties.  SBU took a 37-35 lead into the half as Bearcats only hit one three-pointer in the first half.

SBU shot 41% from the floor  and 71% from the free throw line but a dismal 18% from beyond the arc.  SBU averages 11 three-pointers per game made and only hit three.  TSU had only five turnovers and hit 40% of their shots.

The Bearcats will face two more tough opponents next week as they travel to the High Desert Classic in Las Vegas.  SBU will play Central Oklahoma on December 17 and then St. Mary's (TX) on the 18th.