Saints Fall in Double Overtime

Kenny Hernandez

LIBERAL, Kan. – Seward County Community College falls short 95-94 in double overtime to Dodge City Community College. The Saints have their three game win streak snapped and they are now 5-8 on the season. Freshman Erik Pratt led all scorers in the contest with 25 points, six rebounds, two assists, and a blocked shot.

To start the game the Saints and the Conquistadors traded off baskets and no team exceeded a four-point lead in the first ten minutes of play. Under-five minutes to go in the half Bee McCrary connected on a field goal to give Seward a 30-29 advantage but Dodge City responded with a pair of free throws to regained the leas 31-30. In the final Saints possession of the half Erik Pratt connected on a three to tie the game at 39 all at halftime. Seward County shot 43 percent from the field and shot just 17 percent from behind the three point line in the first half.

In the second half, both teams started off trading baskets with Seward County able to get easy looks from Kevon Cooper dunks. Seward and Dodge City found themselves tied again at 51 with 13 minutes to go in the game. Seward County took their largest lead of the game with a 12-5 run to lead 63-58 at the nine minute mark. Erik Prat continued to control the game on offense for the Saints and after drawing a foul he connected on a pair of free throws that gave Seward a 74-70 lead.

Bee McCrary went one of two from the free throw line with less than 30 seconds left and the Saints led 78-76. The conquistadors responded with a layup by Walyn Napper to tie the game at 78 all. The Saints had one last shot with 10 seconds left but came up short and we went into the first overtime tied at 78 all.

For the first overtime, the Saints scored first with a layup by McCrary and the Conquistadors responded with a three on their first possession and Seward trailed 81-80. In the final minute of overtime, the Saints trailed 85-82 with the ball and freshman Erik Pratt connected on a timely three to tie the game at 85 all with 25 seconds left. Dodge City was able to get a shot off but missed it at the buzzer to force a second overtime.

The second overtime started with a tough layup by DJ Molett to give Seward an 87-85 advantage. After an exchange of basket, the Saints had a 92-89 lead with 1:40 left in the overtime. Dodge City responded with back-to-back field goals to take a 93-92 lead. Under 20 seconds left Samuel Henderson drove baseline and made a tough layup to get Seward back in front 94-93. With ten seconds left Dodge City had the ball in their front court and got to the rim to lay it in for the decisive field goal with 0.6 seconds left that gave Dodge City the edge.

Other top scorers for the Saints were Kevon Cooper with 21 and Branton “Bee” McCrary with 15 points in the contest.

Seward County will take on Cloud County Community College on Friday at 4 pm in the Greenhouse.