By DONN ADAMSON\Daily Journal Sports Editor

Published: Monday, January 10, 2005
Updated: Monday, January 10, 2005 11:19 AM CST

GODFREY, IL -- The Mineral Area Cardinals did not say 'uncle' as time was running out in regulation and being down to the Trail Blazers of John Wood College by seven points on Sunday. The Cardinals fought back to tie the game up, and then won it 76-74 on a buzzer-beater in overtime.

After being down 28-24 at the half, Mineral Area trailed most all of the second half as well, and with a couple of minutes left, the lead stood at seven for the Trail Blazers. MAC's defense stiffened and with seven seconds on the clock Ryan Burne hit a three to tie the score and send the game into overtime.

Mineral Area took the lead 74-73 with seconds on the clock in the overtime period on a shot by Kenny Burke, but the Trail Blazers answered at the free throw line, making one of two tries to tie the game at 74-74. Burke made them pay for the missed free throw as he hit a 15-footer with one second on the clock for the winning points.

Burke finished with 25 points, Curtis Muse had 15, Burne 13, Matt Foster 12, Rob Kennedy 6, Jonathan Jackson 2, Tremaine Wilkerson 2, and Dantwan Chillers 1.

With the win, the Cardinals are happy to return back to the Bob Sechrest Fieldhouse to play their next game on Saturday against West Plains following the Lady Cardinals game against Missouri Baptist J.V.'s at 5 p.m. The Cardinals, 12-6, have not played at home since December 11.