5 Warriors Score in Double Digits in 2OT Loss

Wichita, Kan. – It was a game of runs between the Sterling College Warriors and the Friends University Falcons Saturday night in the Garvey Center. Friends took advantage of the home court and hung on to a 92-85 double-overtime win over the Warriors.

Sterling's largest lead in the first half was 9 points, but Friends tied the game up with less than ten seconds to play in the first half. Mooch Austin for the Warriors quickly moved the ball up the court for a last-second basket attempt and Sterling went into halftime with a 42-40 lead.

Sterling slowly built their lead back to five early in the second half and held it near there for the first ten minutes. Coming down the stretch, Friends kept cutting into the lead and eventually took the lead with just under seven minutes left in regulation. The last seven minutes were a dogfight with fouls and technicals. With the game tied and just a couple of seconds left in regulation, Sterling had the ball with a chance to win but did not get a good look and the game went to overtime.

Overtime #1 had the Warriors behind coming down the stretch when Will Thigpen had an answer on a put-back layup to tie the game at 77. Friends called timeout and advanced the ball to halfcourt, but missed on a three-point opportunity as time expired. After an extra five minutes of play, the winner was yet to be determined.

In the second overtime, Friends got hot early and just held on. They opened up a five point lead and Sterling never cut it to less than 3 from that point on. The Falcons hung on for the 92-85 win at home.

Austin, Lucas Briar, Jimmy Causey Jr., Brandon Doss, and Thigpen each scored in double figures, led by Austin's 20 points. Causey Jr. led Sterling in rebounds and assists with 8 and 4, respectively.

Sterling drops to 9-6 (5-5) sitting in a four-way tie for 5^th place in the KCAC. Sterling plays Kansas Wesleyan University at home on Wednesday night. The Coyotes are currently tied atop the KCAC and on an 8-game winning streak. The last time these two teams played was in the KCAC tournament last season, and the seventh-seeded Warriors upset the second-seeded Coyotes. You can imagine the Yotes will be out for revenge. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 pm in the Gleason Center.

Be sure to check for news and updates on Sterling Warrior Athletics on Facebook (/SCWarriors), Twitter (@SterlingCSports), and Instagram (sterlingcsports), as well as the hashtag #SwordsUp. Watch the Warriors' live home events on the Sterling College Sports Network.