Visiting Manhattan Christian won the Midwest Christian College Conference men’s basketball showdown with Ozark Christian on Friday night.
The Crusaders rallied from a 12-point deficit with 15 minutes left to prevail 70-68.
The Crusaders’ Alex Hammock picked up a loose ball at midcourt and raced in for a layup with 21.1 seconds remaining to snap a 68-68 deadlock.
OCC, on its ensuing possession, didn’t appear to get the shot it wanted and settled for a leaner that was off the mark. Manhattan then missed two free throws at :08 to create the final score.
Said Crusader coach Shawn Condra: “We made some good defensive plays at the end. We kind of hang our hat on the defense.”
Manhattan hiked its record to 15-9 overall and 9-0 in the MCCC. OCC fell to 14-9, 6-1.
And, just think, they go at it again on Feb. 17 at Manhattan.
But OCC, noted coach Chris Lahm, must clear its head and focus on today’s 1 p.m. women’s and men’s league doubleheader with Barclay of Haviland, Kan.
Lahm also indicated it wouldn’t take Phog Allen or Sparky Stalcup to figure out one major reason why the Ambassadors lost to the Crusaders.
OCC hit just 13 of 28 foul shots.
“Free-throw shooting has been a problem,” Lahm said. “It isn’t because we don’t practice shooting them.
“It was a good game,” Lahm said. “We didn’t do a good job the last five minutes. They hit some shots. We didn’t hit some shots. ... some of those we normally make.”
The Ambassadors’ last three losses have been two-point decisions, Lahm said.
OCC, although just 3 of 12 from the foul line, led 38-34 at the half. The Ambassadors quickly built 10-point leads and increased it to 52-40 at about the 15-minute mark.
The Crusaders were paced by 5-foot-9 sophomore Jack Mitchell (16 points, including 6 of 7 from the line) and 6-5 classmate Sterling Roaf (13 points, 11 rebounds).
The Crusaders hit 6 of 14 treys to 3 of 15 for the Ambassadors.
Kyle Wicklund, a 6-6 junior, tallied 24 and snared 11 rebounds for OCC. Kendall Wingert, a 6-0 freshman, added 11 points and 6-2 senior Steven Tackett had 10 points and five assists.
Sports
Related Photos
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Ozark Christian's Kyle Wicklund breaks away from Manhattan Christian's Lonnie Penner (center) and Kevin Foster during Friday night's game in the OCC gymnasium.
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Ozark Christian's Taylor Miller grabs a rebound.
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Ozark Christian's Darrin Chitwood takes a shot over Manhattan Christian's Lonnie Penner (25).
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Ozark Christian's Paden Bennett stops against defensive pressure from Manhattan Christian's Jack Mitchell.
Discussion
Manhattan slips past OCC men
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
- Five sign to join Missouri Southern women's track team
- Whisner ignites Joplin Miners past Webb City
- Venus Williams joins Serena on sideline in Paris
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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