The Marian University Ancilla men's basketball team seems to want to provide Sportscenter type highlights every chance they get, and Saturday evening was no different. The Charger men traveled to Lansing Community College to take on the Stars in the second half of a double-header with the women's basketball teams, and the MUAC men's squad pulled out a nail-biting, 80-77 victory over the host Stars.
The first half was an entertaining, fast-paced, high-scoring affair, with the Stars leading throughout, typically by a basket or two, and by as many as 8 points at times. Lansing entered the break leading, 44-38. The second half began very much the same way, and the pace was set to see even more points in the second stanza, but then it slowed down quite a bit and became another late-game thriller.
The Chargers were finally able to make a permanent dent in the lead, tying the contest at 75-75 with 4:44 left on a rebound put-back by Sophomore Willie Reece. More than a minute went by before the Chargers ended up fouling Jamison Eklund, who buried a pair of free tosses to regain the lead for the Stars, 77-75.
Over the next couple of minutes, both teams had their chances, but that stretch remained scoreless until Reece got an easy score in transition to knot the game at 77-77 with 1:35 left. Both teams again had opportunities, but then the Chargers fouled Jay Wallace in transition with 26.4 remaining on the clock. Wallace missed the front end of his 1-and-1, the Chargers rebounded, and they walked it up the floor to get set for their final possession.
Reece had the ball high on the left side near the Charger bench, and with about 8 seconds remaining, he slowly attacked the top of the key. As he picked up speed and defenders helped, he kicked to the right wing to an open Marcellous Boyd, who buried a 3-pointer with 2.8 seconds left to give the Chargers an 80-77 lead. Lansing quickly inbounded it, then called timeout with 2.1 left. Out of their timeout, they got a shot from the right sideline about 40-feet from the basket, but it missed, as the Chargers moved to 2-0 in the MCCAA.
Reece had a nice all-around game for the Chargers, scoring 20 points, collecting 6 rebounds, and handing out 5 assists. Freshmen Kameron Hordge (16 points) and Jayden Sanders (13 points) also scored in double figures, while Freshman Clayton Bubash pulled down 10 rebounds, 4 of which came at the offensive end of the floor.
Wallace (25 points) and Eklund (23 points) led the Stars in scoring, while Zavier Thomason grabbed 12 caroms and Devan Wilson handed out 10 assists.
The Charger men's basketball team is back in action tomorrow, January 22nd, as they host Indiana Elite Prep for the second time this season. Tip will be at approximately 7:30 p.m. ET, as they will follow the women's game at 5:30 p.m. ET. Please come out and support both Charger teams!!
