Pilots survive OT thriller versus Mustangs
November 26, 2005
Conway, AR---Trailing 78-74 with just 1:12 remaining, the LSUS Pilots were in jeopardy of losing their first game of the 2005-2006 season versus the Central Baptist College Mustangs. Josh Porter however carried the Pilots to an 83-80 overtime victory with 22 second half points including the game tying jump shot with 0:30 remaining in regulation.
The Mustangs jumped out to a 12-6 lead to start the first half, but a steal at half court by Fredericko Payne led to a fast break lay-up which sparked a 17-9 Pilot run, giving LSUS their first lead of the contest, 23-21 with 8:41 remaining in the half.
Orien Hatcher collected eight points in the final 5:00 and led all first half scorers with 12 points as the two teams battled their way to a 39-39 deadlock at the half. Lamar Eslinger pitched in with nine points and Shawn Stone added six points to round off the Mustang scoring.
Anton Palmer led the Pilots offense with eight points and Porter added seven first half points. The Mustang defense managed to hold Payne to just seven points at the half.
The Mustangs started the second half on an 18-9 run and led 58-49 with 12:00 remaining. The sputtering Pilot offense however received a spark from Porter who connected on three consecutive three point field goal attempts in the span of 0:58 which put the Pilots ahead 62-61 at the 9:02 mark.
Payne collected his first two points of the half with 4:44 remaining to give the Pilots a 70-67 lead. The Mustangs responded with an 11-4 run which was capped off by a Tim Edwards bucket with 1:12 remaining putting CBC up 78-74.
The Pilots however pulled within two points when Jeremy Johnston connected on a fade away jump shot from the free throw line with 0:56 remaining, and managed to force a jump ball situation with the possession arrow in the Pilots direction on the ensuing Mustang possession. Josh Porter tied the game at 78-78 with 0:32 seconds remaining after connecting on a contested jump shot from just inside the three-point line which capped his 22 point second half performance.
CBC called a timeout with 0:09 remaining to set up their last possession. The Mustangs got the ball in the hands of leading scorer Eslinger who was matched-up versus Pilots Shadrach Roome just outside the three-point line. Roome denied penetration by Eslinger who was forced to shoot a fade away three-pointer that did not find the rim and the two teams were on their way to overtime tied at 78-78.
Eslinger opened the scoring in overtime at the 3:34 mark giving CBC an 80-78 lead. Palmer responded for the Pilots with an offensive rebound and a put back to tie the score at 80-80.
The Pilots took the lead with 1:21 remaining when Palmer connected on his first of two free throw attempts. Palmer missed his second attempt but Freddy Hughes came up with the offensive rebound keeping the ball in the hands of LSUS. The Pilots worked the ball into the post which led to a foul on Roome who was awarded two shots from the charity stripe. Roome connected on the first attempt to put the Pilots ahead 82-80, but missed on the second attempt which was rebounded by LSUS but the Pilots were called for a lane violation awarding the Mustangs the ball.
With a 0:06 differential between the shot clock and the game clock, the Mustangs called a timeout with 0:23 remaining to setup their offensive play. On the in bound play, Allen Cornett was called for an illegal screen which gave the Pilots possession.
Hughes collected the inbounds pass and was immediately fouled which stopped the clock with 0:21 remaining, and was sent to the free throw line with a chance to put the Pilots ahead 84-80. Hughes connected on his first attempt but missed the second making the score 83-80 with the Mustangs in possession.
CBC once again looked to get the ball in Eslingers hands to try and tie the game as the clock ran down but once again it was the defense of Roome who forced a deep contested three point attempt that fell short of the basket as time expired giving the Pilots an 83-80 victory.
