Shooting woes lead to CMS being eliminated from NCAAs by ETBU
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (22-7) | 45 | 30 | 75 |
|
East Tex. Baptist (25-5) | 37 | 43 | 80 |
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MARSHALL, Texas – Cold shooting in the second half hindered the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's basketball team in an 80-75 loss at East Texas Baptist University in the second round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship on March 7 at Ornelas Gym. With the loss, CMS' season comes to a close with a 22-7 record, its most wins in a season since winning 25 in 2011-12. This season marked the third 20-plus win season for CMS in its last four.
ETBU advances to the Round of 16 next weekend after its win over CMS.
Down 78-75 with 16 seconds remaining in the game after a three by junior forward Jason Harrington (CMC), CMS had a chance to even the score and possibly send the game into overtime. After an ETBU timeout, CMS stole the inbounds pass and guard Tyler Gaffaney (CGU) had two three-point attempts, which didn't fall with under 10 second to go. ETBU then sealed the win at the free-throw line to advance to the next round.
CMS led by eight points at 45-37 at halftime behind 64 percent shooting in the first half. Junior center Shelby Lane (CMC) had nine points on 4-of-4 shooting from the paint in the first half, while Harrington was hot from outside with 13 points on 3-of-3 shooting from the three-point line in the half. ETBU managed to keep things close in the first half behind its own three-point shooting, with six three-pointers, two each by Justin Felicia and Bret Atkins.
The efficient shooting by CMS in the first half however, didn't continue in the second half. ETBU chipped away at CMS' lead over the first five minutes of the second half, eventually evening the score at 49-49 on free throws by Chad Herring with 15:05 to play. Lane got the lead right back for CMS, but ETBU tied the game again at 55-55 with 9:52 to play on a three by Felicia. CMS would take the lead and ETBU would continue to tie the game. Then with 5:12 remaining, a basket by Atkins gave ETBU its first lead since the first minute of the game.
On CMS' next possession, senior guard Jack Grodahl (CMC) nailed a three and gave his team the lead back at 65-64 with 4:28 remaining. Unfortunately, that lead was short lived and CMS would not lead the rest of the game, as ETBU jumped ahead by as many as nine points on a few occasions in the final minutes.
CMS had one of its more balanced games offensively, with four players scoring in double figures; Harrington (18), Gaffaney (17), Grodahl (12), Lane (12).
Statistically, the game was very evenly matched. Both teams shot 46 percent from the field. CMS had 14 assists to ETBU's 12 and 14 turnovers to ETBU's 15. CMS scored 14 points off turnovers while ETBU scored 16. CMS had 12 second chance points while ETBU had 14. In the paint, CMS scored 28 points while ETBU had 26. ETBU outrebounded CMS 37-34.
There were five ties and four lead changes in the game.
Box score
Postgame Interview
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