Stags Edged In Overtime Of Tournament Final

CMS lost at Pomona-Pitzer 55-53 in overtime in the final of the inaugural SCIAC Men's Basketball Tournament.  The fourth-seeded Stags ended their season at 15-12 while the third-seeded Sagehens secured the SCIAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Playoffs.

The overtime was a back and forth affair as opposed to regulation where both teams had offensive runs.  CMS led twice and Pomona-Pitzer three times along with one tie in the extra period.  After the Sagehens took a two-point lead in the final minute, the Stags had two good looks at three-pointers to win.  One went in and out and the other hit off the front rim as time expired.

CMS led 24-17 with seven minutes remaining in the first half.  Pomona-Pitzer closed the half on an 11-1 run and scored the first three points of the second half for a 31-25 lead.  The Stags went on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to one and then were outscored 11-0 over the next eight minutes.  Down 42-30 with under seven and half minutes to play, CMS went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to two.  The Sagehens led 45-42 when Conner Faught (SO, Agoura Hills [pictured]) hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to send the game to overtime.

Faught led the Stags with 19 points including all seven points in overtime.  Chris Blees (FR, Carmichael) added 11 points and four assists and Craig Borengasser (SR, Tempe, AZ) had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

David Brown led the Sagehens with 16 points off the bench.