Mount Union's Men's Basketball Team Loses Nail-Biter To Ohio Northern
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Chris Switzer |
The Raiders jumped out to an early nine point lead off a jumper by freshman/forward Dave Reichlin at the 11:26 mark in the first period of play, making the score 15-6. The Polar Bears answered back with a 9-1 run capped off by a Kyle Meyer lay up at the 6:48 mark, cutting the deficit to one. The Purple and White were able to extend the lead at the conlclusion of the first half and take a 36-28 lead into intermission.
Ohio Northern was able to tie the game at 37-37 with a lay up by Kurtis Brown at the 16:26 mark in the second half. Mount Union answered back with a 10-2 run capped by a triple from junior/guard Chris Switzer at the 13:39 mark, making the score 47-39. The Polar Bears were able to take a four point lead 2:24 left with a lay up from Meyer. However, the Purple and White were then able to tie the game up with a lay up from senior/wing Mike Fatigante as the scoreboard read 65-65 at the end of regulation.
Overtime featured the Polar Bears leading by as many as four with 2:58 left via another lay up from Meyer, making the score 73-69. Mount Union was able to take a 76-75 lead with 22 seconds left when Switzer scored a lay-up. Ohio Northern was able to capitalize on a foul by Mount Union with nine seconds left, as Brown went to the line and sank two free throws as the final score read 77-76 in favor of the Orange and Black.
Mount Union was paced by Switzer who finished with a 29 point performance, tying a career-best. Ohio Northern was led by Meyer with 26 points and Jake Cannan who added 20 points. Mike Fatigante led the Raiders with nine rebounds, while the Polar Bear’s Loudan Hammersmith finished with 10 caroms.
The Purple and White shot .410 from the field, while the Orange and Black shot .500. Ohio Northern held a 35-34 rebound advantage but committed 20 turnovers to only 15 for Mount Union.