The Marian University Ancilla men's basketball team returned home Wednesday night looking to end a 6-game losing streak. There were ups and downs, an extra five minutes added to the clock, but in the end the Chargers managed to pull out an 89-87 victory in overtime.
Early in the game, the Chargers found themselves down 10-2 and had already subbed a few members in off the bench. By the time the deficit reached 12-5, it appeared to be a complete bench unit on the floor for MUAC. They battled and cut the lead to 16-13 before resuming a normal rotation, then the entire team picked it up and led 44-40 at the break.
The second half saw the Chargers fall behind late in the game, and while there were a number of plays to point to, none might have been bigger than this...with just seconds remaing in regulation and Marian Ancilla down 81-79, Sophomore Willie Reece managed to steal the Lansing inbound pass right under the Stars' basket and lay it in to tie the game at 81-81. Lansing couldn't get a good look and the game headed to overtime.
In the extra session, Lansing looked in full control jumping out to an 87-83 lead with the ball. But the Chargers didn't quit. After exchanging a few scoreless possessions, Freshman Jayden Sanders found Reece on the block. Reece powered it up, scored, and drew the and-1 attempt, knocking down the free throw. The game was now 87-86 Stars with 2:11 left in overtime. Off of a defensive rebound by Reece with 1:25 left, he out-letted it to Sanders, who passed it up the sideline to Freshman Kameron Hordge. Hordge attacked the basket and scored a layup with 1:18 left and the Chargers now ahead, 88-87.
Lansing missed a long 3-pointer with just under a minute to go, then MUAC missed a 3-pointer of their own, but Lansing immediately turned it over in transition and Reece was fouled. The Sophomore headed to the line and missed the front end of the 1-and-1. Lansing set up a play, but Freshman Tyshaun Grundy came up with a key steal with 15 seconds left, and Sophomore Ben Jones was fouled and headed to the line. Jones made one of two shots, putting the Chargers ahead, 89-87. Lansing got one last 3-point attempt out of a timeout, but it was off, and Marian Ancilla gave themselves a chance to still qualify for the conference tournament over their final three games.
MUAC was led by Reece's 23 points. He added 3 rebounds and 3 steals as well. Sanders tossed in 12 points and collected 8 rebounds, 5 of which were offensive. Jones and Freshman Marcellous Boyd also scored in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Lansing's Jay Wallace led all scorers with 30 points, including 5-10 shooting from 3-point range, and an 11-12 effort from the charity stripe. Terrell White was close behind with 27 points of his own.
The Charger men are back in action next Wednesday, February 21st, when they head to Kalamazoo Valley for another MCCAA tilt. Tip time is set for approximately 7:30 p.m. ET, following the women's game. Pleace come out and support the Chargers!!
