Stags prevail overtime thriller to close regular season
| Final | 1 | 2 | OT | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (20-4, 13-3) | 31 | 25 | 14 | 70 |
|
Occidental (13-11, 5-10) | 23 | 33 | 10 | 66 |
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The 2016-17 regular season ended in dramatic fashion for the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps men's basketball team (20-4, 13-3), edging out Occidental (13-11, 5-10) for the 70-66 overtime victory. Trailing by eight points at the half, the Tigers climbed back to bring the game close, but the Stags held on and grinded through overtime to finish their season with a win.
With a 13-3 record in conference play, CMS is the lone SCIAC regular season champion and will be the No. 1 seed heading into the postseason tournament.
Juniors Michael Scarlett (CMC) led the Stags with 29 points and went 3-for-4 from beyond the arc while his classmate Kendrick Morris (CMC) did damage in the point, putting up 23 points and grabbing eight rebounds. Junior Jack Ely (CMC) had a solid game as a facilitator, dishing out five assists and hustling for eight rebounds as well. The Tigers were balanced on offense and led by Austin Dewitz who posted 16 points.
Trailing 17-13 with 9:30 left in the first half, the Stags caught a break when Morris hit a jumper to spark a 12-2 run. Morris made two free throws after getting fouled on his next possession and followed up with back-to-back layups in the low post. With defenders packing in the paint to contain Morris, Scarlett found space to score the next four points. The Stags closed the half with a 31-23 lead.
CMS maintained its lead throughout the second half, but the Tigers still had plenty of fight left. Down 52-42 with 6:21 left in the game, Occidental showed more teeth on defense and hit timely baskets to go on a tremendous 14-2 run to take the narrow lead. However, Scarlett came through with a game-tying layup with 21 seconds left to send the contest to overtime.
CMS took care of business in overtime, utilizing Morris' size to put points in the paint. An 8-0 run from Morris and Scarlett put the Stags ahead and they never looked back. Scarlett got fouled with 18 seconds left in the game and made both free throws to close it out.
The SCIAC semifinal matchup will be determined tonight after the final games of the SCIAC regular season. As the No. 1 seed, CMS will host the No. 4 seed in one semifinal game on Friday, Feb. 24 at 7 p.m.