Merced, Calif. - The Golden Eagles men's basketball team pulled out a big, 73-70, overtime win at the University of California – Merced, in Thursday's Cal Pac match-up. The win pushes the team's record to 4-7 in conference play (8-17 overall). The win keeps the team in a frantic race for one of the final playoff positions, with three regular season games remaining.
In what was a tightly contested game, from start to finish, the two teams battled throughout in a game that saw 10 lead changes and nine tie scores.
It was the Bobcats who hit a shot at the halftime buzzer, after the Golden Eagles missed a lay-up that would have given them a shot at the halftime lead. Instead, it was Merced who carried a 31-28 lead into the halftime break.
As the second half got underway it quickly looked as though the home team might run away with it, as they pushed the lead to double digits, just 2:!5 into the start of the 2nd half. But the Golden Eagles answered with an 11-1 run, tying the game at 39-39 with 12:45 left to play.
Over the next 10 minutes the two teams jockeyed back-and-forth until the Golden Eagles took a 60-57 lead with three minutes to play.
With the game clock under two minutes of play, the Bobcats Jonah Cottrell hit a 3-point shot that tied the game at 60-60, then took the lead on an Andrew Williams basket.
After each team had an opportunity to grasp the lead in the final minute and seconds, the final buzzer sounded with the teams tied at 64-64.
In the overtime period, the two teams again jockeyed back-and-forth and this time it was Merced who held a 70-67 advantage with under a minute to play.
Isaac Deese pulled the team to within one with a huge offensive put-back, which was followed up by a timely steal by Cameron Jackson who jumped the passing lane and subsequently converted the steal into two points, giving the Golden Eagles the lead for good. La Sierra outscored the Bobcats 6-0 in the final 2:25 of the game.
Rey Solorzano had another monster performance with a double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds, shooting 9-of-13 from the field. Isaac Deese was the only other player to score in double-digits for the Golden Eagles, with 13 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. DJ Everage added nine points, five rebounds, and team-high five assists. Cameron Jackson notched eight points and five rebounds of his own.
La Sierra also finished with a 44-30 advantage on the boards and also held a 15-6 advantage in second chance points.
The Golden Eagles will visit California Maritime Academy on Saturday night. Saturday night's tip will follow the conclusion of the women's game, at approximately 8:30pm.
