51ºÚÁÏÍø

Late Surge Lifts 51ºÚÁÏÍø State Men to 84–83 Overtime Win at Bishop State

MOBILE, Ala. â€” 51ºÚÁÏÍø State men's basketball showed poise, resilience and timely execution Thursday night, rallying late to secure an 84–83 overtime victory on the road at Bishop State in the ACCC opener for both teams.

The Lions weathered an up-and-down first half, trailing 29–24 with just under three minutes remaining before closing the period on an 11–4 run to take a 35–33 halftime lead. 51ºÚÁÏÍø State capped the surge on the final play of the half when  finished a dunk off a pass from , giving the Lions a spark heading into the break.

51ºÚÁÏÍø State struggled to find rhythm for much of the second half and faced a 72–62 deficit with less than three minutes remaining. The Lions responded by cranking up defensive pressure, forcing turnovers and getting stops when it mattered most. 51ºÚÁÏÍø State outscored Bishop State 12–2 down the stretch to force overtime, aided by missed free throws from the Wildcats in the closing seconds of regulation.

51ºÚÁÏÍø State went 7-of-10 from the free-throw line during the late push, while Bishop State missed its final four attempts in regulation, including two with less than a second remaining.

Momentum carried into overtime as 51ºÚÁÏÍø State opened the extra period on a 5–1 run to take a 79–75 lead. Bishop answered with a 6–2 run to tie the game at 81–81 with under a minute remaining. Madden then delivered again, scoring with seven seconds left to put 51ºÚÁÏÍø State ahead 84–82. Bishop State was fouled with 0.5 seconds remaining, making the first free throw but missing the second to seal the Lions' dramatic comeback win.

51ºÚÁÏÍø State controlled the glass throughout the night, outrebounding Bishop State 51–40, including a decisive 17–8 edge on the offensive boards that led to 20 second-chance points. The Lions also held the Wildcats to just 1-of-11 shooting from three-point range (9.1 percent) and forced 17 turnovers.

 led 51ºÚÁÏÍø State with 23 points, four rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. Madden posted a double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds, adding two assists and two steals.  finished with 12 points and seven rebounds, while  added 10 points, a game-high 15 rebounds, two steals and three blocks.

 scored nine points, Clark added eight points and five rebounds, and  chipped in two points and a steal.

With the win, 51ºÚÁÏÍø State opens conference play with momentum and will return to action Monday, Jan. 19, with a road trip to Gadsden State, which enters the matchup at 11-6 overall and 1-0 in ACCC play.