RAPID REACTION: JOHN LUTKENHAUS
Junior forward John Lutkenhaus drilled a three pointer with seven seconds remaining in regulation to send the game into overtime, where the University of Mary Washington men's basketball team would capture a 92-91 win over Wesley College in the first round of the CAC Tournament on Tuesday night at Ron Rosner Arena. The Eagles improve to 15-11 overall, and advance to the CAC Tournament semifinal round for the sixth straight year. Four Eagles reached double-figures, led by T.J. Jones with 26 points.
In the first half, Wesley jumped to an early 17-9 lead at the 13:20 mark. The Eagles responded and tied the game at 21-21 with 9:24 left in the half on a Brent Mahoney layup. The two teams exchanged buckets for the remaining of the half, before T.J. Jones drilled a three with 45 seconds left to give the Eagles a 34-31 lead heading into the break.
In the second, the Eagles extended their lead to eight, their largest of the game, at the 15:49 mark on another three pointer from Jones. Wesley answered and took the lead back with 11:16 remaining at 55-53. The Eagles and Wolverines traded leads several times until Wesley grabbed a 70-68 lead with 3:00 left.
Wesley could not extend their lead past three in the finals minutes, as free throw shooting from Mark Madison and Jones would keep the Eagles within distance. With 22 seconds left, Wesley hit two free throws to take a 77-74 lead. After a UMW timeout, Lutkenhaus nailed a three with seven seconds remaining to tie the game. Wesley failed on their buzzer beater attempt, sending the game into overtime.
The Eagles opened the extra frame with a four-point play from Madison. The Wolverines went on a 6-1 run that gave them their only overtime lead at 83-82 with 3:32 left. With 1:57 on the clock, Lutkenhaus hit another big shot, as he completed an old-fashioned three to give the Eagles the lead for good. Another layup from Madison and free throws from Eric Shaw and Haden Thompson helped clinch the victory at 92-91.
Mary Washington shot 45.9% from the field (28-61), making 9-24 three pointers and 27-33 free throws. Wesley shot 50.0% from the field (36-72), making 8-19 three pointers and 11-13 free throws. Wesley held a 41-30 advantage on the boards and committed 12 turnovers to UMW's nine.
Jones led the Eagles in scoring with 26 points. Madison had 19 on 6-10 shooting. Lutkenhaus had 16 points, going 6-9 from the field, and pulling in a team-high eight boards. Shaw added 16 points, going 10-11 from the charity stripe.
The Eagles are back in action on Thursday evening as they visit Salisbury University at 7:00 pm for the CAC Tournament semifinal game on Maryland's Eastern shore.