Concordia University-St. Paul erased a nine-point deficit in the final minute of regulation and outlasted Arkansas Tech University 118-113 in triple overtime in non-conference men’s basketball at the Gangelhoff Center in St. Paul, Minn., on Sunday afternoon.
The Golden Bears (2-0), who trailed 77-68 with 59 seconds remaining in the second half, tied the score at 78-78 and ultimately forced overtime on a 3-pointer by Isaiah McKay with 24 seconds remaining.
The balance tipped in Concordia-St. Paul’s favor when Arkansas Tech’s Alex Brown fouled out with 15 seconds remaining in the first overtime. Brown scored 32 points and was 5-of-6 from 3-point range. The rest of the Wonder Boys were 9-of-36 from beyond the arc on Sunday.
Nonetheless, Arkansas Tech fought on, forcing a second overtime on an R.J. Glasper 3-pointer and a third overtime on a Mason Cline 3-pointer.
The Golden Bears prevailed behind two defensive stops, a Lee Higgins layup and two McKay free throws in the final 28 seconds of triple overtime.
Glasper finished with 24 points for the Wonder Boys (1-1). Eric Turner notched 17 points, 15 of which came in the first half. Freddy Lee contributed 11 points and six assists, while Will Adler had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Mason Cline chipped in 10 points.
McKay scored a game-high 36 points and Bryndan Matthews netted 34 points for Concordia-St. Paul.
Arkansas Tech will return to action on Friday, Nov. 16, when a neutral-site, non-conference contest against the University of Illinois-Springfield. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. Radio station KCJC 102.3 FM and www.arkansastechsports.com will provide live coverage.
