CONWAY, Ark. (Feb. 4) -- Hendrix College came back from a 10-point deficit with 2:01 left in regulation to send the game into overtime and the Warriors survived on clutch free throw shooting in the second overtime to earn a 105-94 victory over Southwestern University on Friday evening at Grove Gymnasium.
Hendrix (7-13, 3-9 SCAC) used a full-court press to ignite a 14-4 run in the last two minutes of regulation. Junior Nick Heathscott knocked down a layup to get things started and a 3-pointer from junior Ammon Martin brought the Warriors to within five points, 71-66, with 1:33 to go.
Senior James Ewing drove the lane and earned a 3-point play the hard way off an assist from first year Colton Primm to make it 73-71 with 21 ticks left in the second half. Southwestern (4-17, 2-10 SCAC) used a timeout to draw up an inbound play with eight seconds on the clock, however, Martin knocked the ball away for the steal and dished it to Primm for the quick layup, tying the game at 73-73 with six seconds left. Pirates first year Michael Cantu had a last-second look at the rim, but Hendrix senior James Ewing skied for the block and time expired.
Southwestern jumped out to a 77-73 advantage after its first two possessions of the first overtime and Hendrix knotted the game at 78-78 on a jumper from Primm with 2:19 to go. Junior Chris Goodman drained a 3-pointer on the Warriors' next possession to go up 81-80. Ewing assisted both baskets. Cantu converted on a layup and a free throw the next trip down the court to put the Pirates back on top.
Primm hit a layup and a free throw in the next 30 seconds and Riley went 1-for-2 at the line to give Hendrix an 85-83 lead with 27 seconds left in overtime. Southwestern first year Daniel Mataya dribbled the lane and Primm fouled to put him at the line with nine seconds on the clock. Mataya hit both free throws and time expired to send the contest into its second overtime.
Ewing and Martin hit back-to-back pull up jumpers to open up a 7-0 run for the Warriors in the first 2:51 of the second overtime, giving Hendrix a 92-85 cushion. Southwestern fouled seven times in the last two minutes and Hendrix made its trips to the charity stripe count by going 13-for-14 from the line.
Neither team led by more than 10 points as the lead changed hands seven times, including five ties, during regulation.
Hendrix won the war down low with a 42-34 advantage in the paint. The Warriors also owned a 22-12 lead in points off turnovers. Hendrix shot 46.3 percent from the field, while Southwestern shot 41.4 percent.
Primm posted career-high performances with 19 points and 17 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Hendrix had six players in double figures with sophomore Jaren Riley leading the way at 20 points. Riley was 15-of-18 from the free throw line. Goodman and Heathscott added 18 points apiece, while Ewing tallied a season-high 14 points and six assists. Martin scored 10 points and snagged three steals. Senior Ryan Rizos finished with five assists and zero turnovers.
Senior Nick Caputo led Southwestern with 23 points and 12 rebounds, while junior James Davenport collected 20 points and a team-high six assists. Junior Logan Hurley scored 16 points and Cantu added 14 points and four steals to the mix. Davenport, Hurley and Cantu all fouled out.
Hendrix improves to 15-22 all-time against Southwestern. The Warriors now entertain Trinity University on Saturday at 8 p.m. CT in Grove Gymnasium.
For more information on Hendrix Athletics please visit www.hendrixwarriors.com or contact Brian Rejer, Sports Information Director, at (501) 450-1426. Also, be sure to follow the Warriors on Twitter by checking out @Warrior_SID.
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