Box Score Gokul Natesan drained a career-high 38 points, but Colorado Mesa overcame a double-digit deficit to win 89-85 in overtime Friday night.
The Mavericks were led by Ryan Stephan's 36 points, which included three late three-pointers to help CMU erase a 14-point deficit with under seven minutes to go.
The Orediggers (7-3, 2-2 RMAC) led by as much as 16 in the second half after a late first-half run put them ahead by double digits. However, a nearly five-minute field goal drought for Mines helped CMU cut the lead to single digits, and four consecutive three pointers – the first by CJ Davis and the next three from Stephan – tied the game at 74 with 24 seconds left. Mines had a final look at the buzzer but missed, sending the game to overtime.
In OT, Mines took an early advantage thanks to two Natesan foul shots, but Eimer Lopez and Nate Hawley combined for a 5-0 run, and Lopez sandwiched layups around a Stephan tip-in later in the period to take a commanding 85-79 lead into the final minute. Natesan converted a three-point play with 51 ticks left to cut it to 85-82, and Luke Schroepfer canceled out Stephan's layup to draw it to 87-85 with 25 seconds to go.
CMU held on, however, as Kaan Korkmaz's potential game-tying basket rimmed out and Davis iced it with two late free throws.
NOTABLES
- Natesan's 38 points blew away his previous career high of 26 set earlier this season against Evangel. He scored 30 in regulation and was 13-of-14 at the line with five three-pointers. Natesan also added four steals and five assists to his line.
- Joe Dellenbach and Ben Sonnefeld each had 11.
- Zach Rusk led the Orediggers with eight rebounds.
- Mines had a superb night at the line, shooting 24-of-28.
- Lopez was key to CMU's comeback, scoring six of his 19 points in overtime. He also handed out eight assists.
NEXT UP
Mines will host Westminster Saturday at 7 p.m.
