Box Score Bolivar, Mo. - It took an extra period but Southwest Baptist picked up a huge MIAA conference victory over Fort Hays State Saturday afternoon. The 73-68 win moves SBU's record to 9-5 (3-2 MIAA) and lowers Fort Hays' record to 10-5 (3-3 MIAA).

The first half was a struggle for both teams, scoring wise. Two free throws from Darnell Latham Jr. gave the Bearcats a 12-7 advantage at the 11:09 mark. Fort Hays would then go on a 11-0 run to go up 18-12, forcing Coach Sheehy to call a timeout. Out of the timeout, Damian Prgomet gave SBU a much needed basket. Later Cartier Dean knocked down a three to make it 22-21 in favor of the Tigers with 4:08 left in the half. The last four minutes the two teams would only combine for six total points and Fort Hays took a 26-23 lead into the locker room. Southwest Baptist shot 28.6% in the first half while Fort Hays had a 33.3% mark from the field.

At the 16:21 mark of the second half, SBU regained the lead, 31-30, on a layup by Prgomet. The teams would exchange leads back and forth over the next four minutes before Hays stretched their lead to four with 11:18 to go. With 3:00 remaining, Logan Hovey knocked down only the Bearcats second three of the game to knot the score at 48. Two free throws by Dean gave SBU a 53-50 lead with 1:12 left. However, with ten seconds remaining, the Tigers' Hadley Gillum nailed a deep three, sending the game into overtime. 

Southwest Baptist scored the first seven points of overtime to open up 60-53 advantage. Fort Hays would draw within two points though with 1:11 left in the extra frame. Marlon Alcindor immediately responded with his only three of the game to stretch the Bearcat lead to five points. Following that were two free throws from Kai Woodfall and an emphatic dunk from Karim Mouliom to ice the game and give SBU a 73-68 victory.

Logan Hovey led the way for SBU with 16 points to go along with seven rebounds. Damian Prgomet had his team leading third double double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Marlon Alcindor and Cartier Dean added 12 and 10 points a piece. The Bearcats ended up shooting 42.6% (23-54) from the field, 21.1% (4-19) from downtown, and 79.3% (23-29) at the free throw line. Southwest Baptist controlled the glass against the Tigers, outrebounding them 44 to 36.

Southwest Baptist heads out on the road now as they head to St. Joseph, Missouri to take on MIAA opponent, Missouri Western. Tip is set for 7:30 PM.