Eagles’ Rally From 18-point down, Fall in Final Seconds to HSSU

WALNUT RIDGE, Ark. (1/11/25) - The Williams Baptist men's basketball team erased a double-digit first half deficit, but saw their game-winning 3-point attempt rattled out as time expired in a 70-68 loss to Harris-Stowe State Thursday evening at the Southerland-Mabee Center. 

Williams tied the game on a T.J. Clardy layup with six seconds to go, but Harris-Stowe's Bennie Amos was fouled with 4.1 seconds left and knocked down both free throws to go up 70-68. On the inbound play, Jayvon Clark had his 3-point attempt rim out as time expired as WBU fell to 8-6 and 0-3 in the American Midwest Conference. 

Keton led WBU with 16 points, including three makes from beyond the arc, while Clardy added 12 points and six rebounds. D.J. Townsend and Tevin Tate added eight points each off the bench. 

WBU erased an 18-point deficit to close out the first half and take a wave of momentum into the locker room at the halftime break with a 34-32 lead. 

The Hornets could not miss in the game's first 10 minutes and quickly jumped out to an early advantage. The Eagles struggled to knock down open looks and HSSU continued to take advantage of its hot shooting and built a 28-10 lead with 6:18 to go in the half.

Keton started the comeback with a 3-pointer from the corner and later brought the SMC crowd to its feet when he converted a 4-point play to the deficit 32-23 with 3:04 to go.

D.J. Townsend got the Eagles within a point with a 3-pointer with 43 seconds left and Jayvon Clark completed the comeback with a 3' as time expired in the half to send Williams in the break with a 34-32 lead.

Williams went 9-of-14 from the field during the 24-4 run and made six, 3-pointers. 

Williams returns to the floor Saturday, Jan. 13 for a home matchup against Hannibal-LaGrange. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m. from the SMC.