Joplin, Mo. – The SBU Men's Basketball team opened their weekend with a Friday night matchup against the Missouri Southern Lions on their home court. Tied up at the end of regulation, the game went to overtime where the hosts took the contest 87-85. With the loss, SBU moves to 2-1 (0-0 GLVC) to start the year.
Jalil Beaubrun opened the game with the first score, going on to score SBU's first five points. Midway through the first half, MSSU took the lead at 18-17 and held on to it for a few minutes. At the 6:27 mark,
Quinn Nelson hit a three-pointer to give SBU a one-point lead. Nelson hit another three in the final minute of the first half, making the score 41-40 at the break.
The teams were really back and forth to start the second half, but the Bearcats got down and found themselves trailing by 14 with 9:14 on the clock. SBU continued chipping away at the deficit, eventually evening the score at 71-71 thanks to a
Nico Aguirre three-pointer at 2:54. He then hit another big three to give the Bearcats a 76-73 lead, but the Lions stuck with it. With 10 seconds left, Aguirre drove the lane and scored on an assist from
Mitch Ganote to take a two-point lead late. At the very end of regulation, MSSU made a layup to send the game into overtime.
SBU was the first to score in overtime, a
Juan Morales layup, but most of overtime was a defensive battle between the teams.
Drew McMillin sank a three late in the period, but it was too late as SBU fell 85-87.
Nico Aguirre had a team-high 21 points and added 6 assists and 3 rebounds to go along with it.
Jalil Beaubrun was near a double-double with 17 points and 8 rebounds, also adding 3 blocks to his stat line.
Quinn Nelson hit another 4 three-pointers tonight, finishing with 16 points.
Mitch Ganote had the team's first double-double of the year, nearly a triple double. He had 11 points and 11 assists, along with 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
The team will remain in Joplin for game two of the Missouri Southern Classic, taking on Pittsburg State on Saturday, November 20 at 5:30 PM.
