The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team will head into the holiday break on a five game winning streak after claiming a wild double overtime 97-95 victory over the Madonna University Crusaders on Tuesday night.
Tied 35-35 at halftime and then 76-76 at the end of regulation it looked like the Cougars were going to pull off a dramatic victory at the end of the first overtime when freshman Rob Boss (Brighton) who finished with another double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) tipped in a missed shot by sophomore Darby Decker (Tawas City) with seven tenths of a second remaining to give SAU the apparent 86-84 win.
However, at the collegiate level the game clock stops on a made basket in the last minute of the game. Unfortunately, a player on Spring Arbor's bench charged the floor in a premature celebration and was given a technical foul, resulting in two free throws for Madonna. Senior Crusader Adam Kerfoot calmly sank both free throws to send the game into a second overtime.
After connecting on consecutive three point attempts by freshman Jared List (Frankenmuth) and sophomore Josh Brandt (top) it appeared that the Cougars would pull away and close out the game. Some costly missed free throws by SAU and a very spirited Madonna team quickly turned the game back into a nail bitter. After missing two more free throws the Cougars held just a two point advantage with 41 seconds remaining. Two made free throws by Madonna with 12 seconds remaining evened the score at 95-95.
Decker, who finished with 16 points dribbled up the floor and found Brandt in the corner with four seconds to play. Brandt's three point attempt hit the front of the rim and bounced long right back towards him. Josh followed his miss and sank a running 15 footer as time expired to give Spring Arbor the dramatic victory.
"It was a very savy play by Brandt to finish off a wild game," cpmmented SAu head coach Ryan Cottingham. "It was a great game from start to finish, and a good way to head into our break."
Brandt, who was one of five Cougars to score in double figures, finished with 17 points while Jared List scored a career-high 19 points and freshman Justin DeKock (Demotte, IN) added 16 points.
Spring Arbor will be back in action on December 29th & 30th when they play in the Hope College Tournament.
