Tigers down Lords in OT

GAMBIER — For the second time in as many games, the Kenyon Lords had a game slip away at the hands of an opponent’s 3-pointer, as Mark Caraway buried a 3 for Wittenburg with half a second left to send the game to overtime. The Tigers would go on to win, 72-67, after the extra period. The Lords fell to DePauw on Dec. 20 on a last-second trey as well.

The Lords came out hot as they tallied the first seven points of the ball game. The Tigers fired back, however, with help from two 3-pointers from Greg Hill to tie the score at nine with 13:29 left in the first half.

Over the final 13 minutes, the score went back and forth as neither team managed to find a true rhythm on offense. A.J. Clair hit a jump shot to give Kenyon a 31-28 lead with 2:32 remaining. That would be the last basket of the half, as both teams struggled to find the bottom of the net.

The Tigers had a quick start to begin the second half. Dane Borchers knocked in three of the first four Wittenberg baskets as the Tigers worked to a 38-35 lead. They stretched the lead to 47-39 before the Lords began to work their way back.

After a Dave Knapke layup, Jim Arce knocked in a 3-pointer for Kenyon to pull them back within three. Bryan Yelvington tied the score at 53 moments later on a 3-point play with three minutes remaining in the game.

Over the final three minutes, the teams traded baskets and free throws. Yelvington knocked in a pair of free throws to put the Lords up by three, but Hill fired back with two of his own. Knapke knocked in two more for the Lords with seven seconds left to give the Lords a three point lead, 59-56.

With one last chance, the Tigers worked the ball up the court. Mark Caraway took the pass and launched a 3-pointer from NBA range. It found nothing but the bottom of the net to tie the score and send the game to overtime.

“Wittenberg is a team with a winning tradition, and you don’t get that without finding ways to win games,” said Kenyon head coach Matt Croci. “That play showed that. They found a way to win the game.”

In the extra period, the game again went back and forth. With the score died at 64, the Tigers pulled ahead. Borchers hit a jump shot, and added a free throw to extend the lead to three. Murray and Borchers each hit a pair of free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.

“I was really proud of the way the kids played tonight. They really followed the game plan, and they lost to a tough team,” said Croci. “We had a couple of turnovers that hurt us, but they just made the big shots tonight.”

Yelvington led the Lords with 14 points and seven rebounds. Knapke had 13 points and seven rebounds. Jolson also finished in double figures with seven. Klinger tallied six points and five assists.

The Tigers were led by Borchers, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds. Hemenway added 11 points and seven rebounds. Hill finished the game with 13 points, an assist, and a steal.

“Borchers is probably one of the best post players in the country,” said Croci. “We defended him well at times, but he found ways to score.”

Kenyon returns to action Saturday afternoon at 3.