Cardinals make improbable comeback to shock unbeaten Highland
By MATT KING\Daily Journal Sports Writer
Dec 13, 2004 - 11:57:33 CST
ST. LOUIS - The Mineral Area College men's basketball team apparently has a flair for the dramatic. With a pair of overtime wins already on their resume and just one day removed from a thrilling last-second win over Indian Hills, the Cardinals had even more excitement in store on Sunday.
MAC continued the trend of close games in stunning fashion, rallying from a 20-point deficit in the first half to defeat the previously unbeaten and nationally-ranked Highland Cougars, 84-83 in the Rawlings Classic at Meramec College.
Highland (8-1) stayed in complete control throughout the first half after opening the contest with a 11-2 scoring clip. The Cougars attacked the basket early with strong passing and urgency in transition, but were also able to score from the perimeter when open.
A pair of driving layups from LeMar Phillips and a three-point basket by Matt Burks stretched the margin to 29-11. Highland enjoyed its largest lead of the night at 43-23.
Much of the Cardinals' early offense was provided by freshman Rob Kennedy, who scored eight first-half points including a couple of mid-range hook shots.
Mineral Area (9-3) began its recovery with a 9-2 scoring run before halftime, highlighted by good work on the offensive boards. Tremaine Wilkerson scored on a putback during the streak and DeAlan Hicks went high for an athletic tip in at the buzzer, making the score 45-32.
Burks nailed triples on back-to-back possessions during the opening minutes of the second half as the Cougars maintained a healthy lead, but tough defense eventually began to pay dividends for the Cardinals.
Kennedy, Aaron Jackson, and Kenny Burke all hit jumpers following defensive stands to bring MAC to within eight. Phillips answered with two straight field goals for Highland, but the Cardinals continued to chip away.
After Jackson converted a lob pass to return the spread to single digits, Hicks set up Curtis Muse for a powerful slam to make it 64-61. The momentum continued when Burke splashed in a three-pointer, and Mineral Area grabbed its first lead on a steal and layup from Hicks.
The Cardinals appeared to be pulling away when a three-point play from Jackson gave them a 75-66 cushion with 5:40 left, but the Cougars responded quickly. Aaron Spears muscled in a follow-up shot and Temi Soyebo and Phillips were true from three-point range to even the game at 79-79 with 2:30 to go.
Jackson scored on an inbound pass and Dantwan Chillers hit two free throws for MAC, but Spears answered each time for Highland to tie the score again at 83-83.
Ryan Byrne hit 1-2 from the charity stripe after being fouled with 20 seconds remaining. His only point would stand as the game-winner.
The Cougars had two chances to win in the final two seconds, but the Cardinals stood tall. Muse partially blocked the first attempt before a mid-range jumper from the baseline missed the mark at the buzzer.
Burke led the Cardinals in scoring with 14 points. Wilkerson, Kennedy and Jackson added 13 each.
Phillips posted a game-high 18 points as the Cougars placed five players in double figures. Soyebo scored 15 points and Spears chipped in 12.
Mineral Area will face another difficult test on the road at Southeastern Iowa on Saturday. The BlackHawks are the two-time defending NJCAA Division I champions.
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MAC continued the trend of close games in stunning fashion, rallying from a 20-point deficit in the first half to defeat the previously unbeaten and nationally-ranked Highland Cougars, 84-83 in the Rawlings Classic at Meramec College.
Highland (8-1) stayed in complete control throughout the first half after opening the contest with a 11-2 scoring clip. The Cougars attacked the basket early with strong passing and urgency in transition, but were also able to score from the perimeter when open.
A pair of driving layups from LeMar Phillips and a three-point basket by Matt Burks stretched the margin to 29-11. Highland enjoyed its largest lead of the night at 43-23.
Much of the Cardinals' early offense was provided by freshman Rob Kennedy, who scored eight first-half points including a couple of mid-range hook shots.
Mineral Area (9-3) began its recovery with a 9-2 scoring run before halftime, highlighted by good work on the offensive boards. Tremaine Wilkerson scored on a putback during the streak and DeAlan Hicks went high for an athletic tip in at the buzzer, making the score 45-32.
Burks nailed triples on back-to-back possessions during the opening minutes of the second half as the Cougars maintained a healthy lead, but tough defense eventually began to pay dividends for the Cardinals.
Kennedy, Aaron Jackson, and Kenny Burke all hit jumpers following defensive stands to bring MAC to within eight. Phillips answered with two straight field goals for Highland, but the Cardinals continued to chip away.
After Jackson converted a lob pass to return the spread to single digits, Hicks set up Curtis Muse for a powerful slam to make it 64-61. The momentum continued when Burke splashed in a three-pointer, and Mineral Area grabbed its first lead on a steal and layup from Hicks.
The Cardinals appeared to be pulling away when a three-point play from Jackson gave them a 75-66 cushion with 5:40 left, but the Cougars responded quickly. Aaron Spears muscled in a follow-up shot and Temi Soyebo and Phillips were true from three-point range to even the game at 79-79 with 2:30 to go.
Jackson scored on an inbound pass and Dantwan Chillers hit two free throws for MAC, but Spears answered each time for Highland to tie the score again at 83-83.
Ryan Byrne hit 1-2 from the charity stripe after being fouled with 20 seconds remaining. His only point would stand as the game-winner.
The Cougars had two chances to win in the final two seconds, but the Cardinals stood tall. Muse partially blocked the first attempt before a mid-range jumper from the baseline missed the mark at the buzzer.
Burke led the Cardinals in scoring with 14 points. Wilkerson, Kennedy and Jackson added 13 each.
Phillips posted a game-high 18 points as the Cougars placed five players in double figures. Soyebo scored 15 points and Spears chipped in 12.
Mineral Area will face another difficult test on the road at Southeastern Iowa on Saturday. The BlackHawks are the two-time defending NJCAA Division I champions.