Basketball (Men's)
SBU Bearcats Defeat Pitt State (87-84) in Overtime Thriller
By
Jan 9, 2007, 22:22

BOLIVAR, MO -- The Bearcats used their full-court press and clutch free throw shooting to defeat the Pittsburg State University Gorillas 87-84 in an overtime thriller.

Sophomore Luke Folkerts had 10 points and 3 boards.

Jason Jemison scored 21, Jared Young scored 20, and Jim Grabowski added 16. Grabowski also had 10 rebounds, qualifying him for a 'double-double' tonight.

SBU was ahead by 2 with less than a second to go in regulation, when Pitt State's Cory Abercrombie was fouled on an offensive rebound. Abercrombie sank both free throws, sending the game into overtime.

Pitt State reeled off the first six points of the overtime period, quieting the SBU crowd. But Jemison and Young brought the crowd back to its feet with a string of jumpers, free throws, and threes.

The end of the overtime was as dramatic as the end of regulation. With SBU up by a digit, Jemison stripped the ball from Pitt State's Rashaad Singleton with 4 seconds remaining. Jemison was fouled as he drove to the basket, sank both free throws, and sealed the Bearcat victory.

Senior Jared Young had 20 points, 8 boards and 3 steals.

Coach Jeff Guiot commented after the game: "We really responded in overtime. We had every chance to quit, but kept fighting. Jared (Young) is really stepping up in his senior year. He started slow tonight, but kept his head up and kept shooting. Our defense pulled us through, which we couldn't count on at the start of the season - that shows maturity. The guys have hung in there after losing their first three MIAA games, which shows a lot of internal strength in these young men. We need to be ready to play on Saturday against Southern. If we come to play, and do the things we can do, we can beat anyone."

SBU is back in action on Saturday night, as they host Missouri Southern. Tipoff is scheduled at 7:30.

Box Score