December 11, 2008 | Box Score
Kansas City, MO-The men's basketball team has had a lot of fight in them of late but nothing to show for it in the win column. After falling in their conference opener at rival William Jewell in a game they led with 8 minutes remaining and then losing at home to NAIA power and conference foe Evangel at home by 9, Graceland was in Kansas City, Missouri to face the Avila Eagles (5-6) in their third conference game of the season. 40 minutes of play wasn't enough in this one as both teams battled through ties in regulation and in the first overtime before the Jackets fell 98-96 in double overtime.
After a 40-40 halftime tie, neither team in the second half was able to pull away. The Jackets led by three with under .10 seconds remaining in regulation when Graceland fouled the jumpshooter attempting a 3-point basket. Upon Avila converting all three free-throws Graceland was unable to score sending the game into it's first overtime.
The first overtime didn't leave anything to be desired on the excitement meter either. Trailing by three points with .7 seconds to go, junior Jewel Carter (Kansas City, KS) drilled a three to send the game into double overtime.
For those who are faint of heart, the last .15 seconds of double overtime wouldn't have been for you. After Avila went up 93-92 with under .20 seconds to go, Graceland was able to come down and get a shot to fall giving Graceland the 94-93 lead. Avila came down and within a few seconds was able to score a two point basket of their own putting them up one with less than .15 seconds to go. The excitement however, was far from over. Jewel Carter came racing down the court for Graceland went up and under converting a reverse layup and giving the lead once again back to the Jackets with .10 seconds remaining at 96-95. The Eagles however, would hit the game winning three pointer with just over .5 seconds remaing giving them the 98-96 lead. Junior Cy Wynn had an opportunity to tie the game with two free-throws with .08 on the clock but he missed them both and Avila capped off the 98-96 crushing double overtime win against Graceland.
Graceland had three scorers in double figures led by Jewel Carter's 34. Lucas Harris (Colorado Springs, CO) had a career night as well for Graceland pouring in 25 points and snaring 12 rebounds in his double-double effort. Cy Wynn. (Sanford, FL) also added 13 on the night.
"This is a very frustrating loss, there really is no way to put it other than that," stated Coach Hamilton following the game. "We jumped out to a 17-4 lead early and then started making mistakes with the basketball which allowed Avila to get right back into it. These guys have put the hard work in to win games like this, they just aren't going our way right now. There are still some things we obvioulsy have to improve on and we're going to keep fighting and working at it until we do. Credit Avila as well, they answered us basket for basket late and were able to get one more than us when it counted," finished Coach Hamilton.
The Jackets, now 2-9 overall and 0-3 in the HAAC, will finish up play before Christmas break against undefeated and #18 Central Methodist (10-0) this Saturday in Lamoni at 4pm. Stay tuned to the Jackets athletics website for continuing coverage of the men's basketball team and all of Jacket athletics.
For More Information on Graceland University Athletics Contact:
Matt Shelton, Sports Information Director
(641) 784-5318
mshelton@graceland.edu
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