SAN ANGELO, Texas – The No. 12/20 Angelo State basketball team downed Tarleton State, 87-86, in double OT while playing in front of 1,641 fans at Stephens Arena in the Junell Center on Wednesday night.
It was the first time since the 2008-09 season the two teams have faced each other in overtime and just like that January night the Rams came away victorious. With the win, ASU improves to 18-4 on the season and 6-4 in the Lone Star Conference. The Angelo State offense had five players score in double figures and tallied 23 points off of 20 Texans turnovers. Tarleton State falls to 16-7 overall and 5-5 in the LSC.
"What a crazy finish," said ASU head basketball coach Cinco Boone. "We have been having some pretty good practices this week. Their preparation has been good and the guys have been pretty locked in. I think that makes a big difference. Hopefully winning two games in a row will give us some momentum and confidence heading into the upcoming schedule."
The two teams entered double overtime tied at 81 but not before a last second heroic shot by the Rams. Prince Foster sunk an off balance 3-point shot that bounced off the rim before swishing the net with time expiring in the first overtime.
Tarleton State took its second lead of the overtime on a deep three to go up 86-85. Omari Gudul answered in a big way. The senior took an entry pass and posted up off a left block in the lane. He spun around and floated in a jumper off the back iron to put ASU on top 87-86. Tarleton State had several attempts at the end but Quay King pulled down a rebound sealing the game.
The Texans kicked of the first overtime with a 9-2 run that allowed them to take a seven point lead, 77-70, with 2:56 left. A jumper by Foster would get ASU back on track as they rolled out a lengthy 8-2 run of its own that would cut the TSU lead to 79-78 with 26 seconds on the clock. A pair of free throws by Tarleton State would force the Rams into needing something from beyond the arc. Foster would answer the call with the off-balance three pointer..
After the Rams trailed the entire first half, the second half was smiliar until a 10-4 run at the 19:05 mark. A Stedman Allen jumper started chipping away at the Texan lead. By 12:26 the TSU lead had been cut to five, 54-49, with a couple of 3-pointers from Bennett and DeVonte' Pratt. The Rams then took another large chunk out of the lead with another sizable 8-2 run that saw Gudul score six of the eight points. With 3:26 left in regulation, Bennett downed two free throws to obtain the Rams first lead of the game at 63-61. The two teams would trade points until the score was 68-65 at the 1:03 mark. Five seconds later Bennett was sent to the line after being fouled in the process of shooting a three with a chance to tie. The senior hit all three free throws and each team misses shots to win it in the final 30 seconds of the game to send it to overtime.
Allen lead the team with scoring 17 points on the night with his 13th consecutive game scoring in double figures. He was 6-of-15 from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line. The senior led the defense with 11 total boards, which gave is his third double- double of the year. The New York native also pocketed a pair of steals for the night. Bennett, Foster and Gudul followed up with 14 points each which tied for second on the team. Bennett, who shot a perfect 5-of-5 from the foul line, also led the squad with six assists for the night. It marks the senior's 13th straight game scoring in double figures. Defensively, he added a steal to his total numbers. Foster also had a stellar performance from the free throw line hitting 5-of-6. He was 1-of-1 from the arc, sinking the pivotal three to force double overtime. In addition to his double-figure points, Gudul pulled down six boards and co-led the Rams with three blocks.
Rounding off the players in double figures, King finished the night with 11 points. He has now scored double-digits in four of the last five games. The guard was .500 from beyond the arc and also added five defensive rebounds.
The Rams hit the road to take on Texas A&M – Commerce on Saturday, February 13 at 6 p.m. This game will be broadcasted live on 1260AM KKSA with the voice of the Rams, Jeremy Bryant on the call.
The No. 12/20 Angelo State basketball team downed Tarleton State, 87-86, in double OT while playing in front of 1,641 fans at Stephens Arena in the Junell Center on Wednesday night.
ASU Men's Basketball vs Tarleton St. 10Feb15 - Images by
Angelo State University
