KONA, HI - The 12th-ranked Benedictine University men's basketball team saw a six-game win streak come to a close in Hawaii with a loss at the buzzer to an NAIA scholarship program.
FINAL SCORE
Menlo 72, Benedictine 70
THE DETAILS
- Falling behind by double digits in the first half, Benedictine came storming back in the second half
- Down six with less than 90 seconds left at 70-64, Benedictine tied the game with 18 seconds remaining on a free throw from Adam Reynolds
- Reynolds had a chance to put Benedictine ahead but missed the second and Menlo's Ben Graham hit a jumper at the buzzer for the win
- Menlo, hosts of the tournament who lost to Division I Fresno State by 13, led for most of the game
- A triple put the Oaks ahead for good with 15:04 to play in the first half
- Menlo went on to lead by as many as 12 points in the opening half
- Benedictine was able to chip the deficit down to four on consecutive baskets from Zach Gorney and Brayden Olson at the 12:43 mark of the second
- The lead stayed in single digits the rest of the game
- Reynolds was twice able to bring Benedictine within three points on a three-pointer at 10:38 and a layup at 4:31
- A three from Kenny Bogus pulled Benedictine within 66-64 with just 3:17 left but Menlo responded with four consecutive points
- Olson hit a three with 54 seconds left to make the score 70-69
- Menlo is an NAIA scholarship program and is led by former Benedictine assistant Kaniela Aiona
STAT LEADERS
- Benedictine shot 41.9 from the field in tonight's contest
- Benedictine connected on six three-pointers including two from Gorney
- Benedictine held a 45-29 advantage on the glass but could not overcome a season high 18 turnovers
- Three players reached double figures, as Harvey led the Eagles with 17
- Michael Blaszczyk and Reynolds tied for a game best seven rebounds with Blaszczyk adding nine points and five assists on the night
- Reynolds and Gorney both finished with 12 points
UP NEXT
Benedictine finishes up the Big Island Classic by playing another NAIA scholarship school in second-ranked Indiana Wesleyan on Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. The contest will be an exhibition for Benedictine and the stats and result will not count for the season total. This matchup will mark the fourth time Benedictine has faced a Top 25 opponent this regular season. Indiana Wesleyan is the defending NAIA national champion