SPRING ARBOR, MI -- There have been a lot of nicknames that sports teams have acquired over the years based on characteristics that the team has assumed during the season. One example is the 1980 Cleveland Browns, who were nicknamed the Cardiac Kids because so many of their games were decided in the final minutes of the game. Several teams have earned the name comeback kids and this year's SAUCougars have certainly started a trend to give their fans a reason to think this team as the Comeback Kids.
For the third straight game, and the sixth time this season, Spring Arbor came from behind to pick up the win, this time over Taylor University in a thrilling 81-74 double overtime victory over the Crossroads League foe.
The win lifts the Cougars to 9-9 on the season and 4-2 in the Crossroads League, which keeps then in a tie for fourth place with Indiana Wesleyan. The Crossroads League is arguably the toughest conference in the country as they continue to beat up on each other as Grace College (1-5) upset #14 St. Francis (5-1). SAU just defeated Grace 64-57 on Wednesday.
Also in today's Crossroads League action, #24 Marian (4-1) upset #4 Bethel (3-3) 77-70 to know Bethel down to sixth place in the CL standings.
In today's game with Taylor, the Cougars fell behind early 4-11 in the first 3:39 of play before the gears started turning for Spring Arbor and by midway through the first half, the Cougars tied the score at 16-16. Spring Arbor trailed the Trojans 31-33 at the half.
In the second period, the largest lead that either team could muster was just three points and in 20 minutes of play, the score was tied on 10 different occasions.
Spring Arbor had a chance to end the game in regulation, with the score at 62-62, when Xavier Prather had a good look at a short range shot and couldn't connect and Rob Hogans grabbed the offensive board put up a shot that rattled the rim, but didn't fall as time ran out.
The first overtime period, each team scored four points with Taylor scoring first and the Cougars responding and Taylor scored a second field goal with 3:50 left and SAU's Peter Barry tied the game up at 66-66 with 38 seconds left in the first OT.
As time was running out in the first overtime period, Taylor put up a short shot and recovered the scramble for the rebound and as the buzzer sounded, put up a shot as the buzzer sounded and the whistle blew. After a conference by the officials, it was decided that Taylor's Darayl Jordan was fouled on the play with 0.7 seconds left and was sent to the line to shoot two free throws with the score 66-66.
Thankfully, for the Cougars, Jordan missed both free throws and the Cougars had new life and a second overtime period.
The second overtime went much more in the Cougars favor as the two teams traded buckets to start the stanza and then Spring Arbor scored six un-answered points to take a 74-68 lead and then hung on with free throws to finish the scoring at 81-74.
Rob Hogans leads the Crossroads League in scoring and continues to do so pouring in a game high 25 points and dishing out four assists. Greg Hamilton has had a great month of basketball and put in another very solid performance scoring 22 points in his best scoring effort of the season, and Xavier Prather completed the Cougar triple threat with 19 points and hauled in eight rebounds.
The Cougars enjoyed one of the best ball control games of the season with just six turnovers in the game including the 40 minutes of regulation play as well as the ten minutes of overtime.
Spring Arbor will face #14 St. Francis on Tuesday night in Spring Arbor as the USF Cougars come to Bockwitz court for a 7:00 ball game.
