Clarksville, Ark.-The Eagles hit a three-pointer with 23 seconds left to get within two and then had an opportunity to tie the game with 16 seconds remaining only to see Texas-Tyler escape with a 74-71 American Southwest Conference win Saturday.
Just as it appeared the Patriots (5-10, 4-8 ASC) had the game won, Colby Woolverton drilled a clutch three-pointer with 23 seconds remaining to put the Eagles (4-11, 2-10 ASC) within 72-70. Texas-Tyler then threw the ball away to Ozarks on its inbound play. Marcus Bobb drew a foul and hit one-of-two to pull Ozarks within 72-71 with 16 ticks on the clock. The Patriots answered with one free throw and then proceeded to grab the rebound on their missed free throw and go back to the charity stripe. The Patriots again made just one of its free throw attempts to give Ozarks one last chance. However, the Patriots swarmed Woolverton, who was unable to get a shot off, to secure the game.
Texas-Tyler began to pull away in the second half when it led 57-48 with 12:19 left in the game. But Ozarks answered as Ronnie Dodd capped a 10-3 run with a basket at the 6:54 mark. Ozarks then took the lead on Dodd’s two free throws just seconds later. The Eagles held the lead until the 1:07 mark when the Patriots nailed a three-pointer.
Bobb led Ozarks with 21 points.
Ozarks will travel to Louisiana College January 19 and Mississippi College January 21.
Topics: Athletics