Eagles Fall to Missouri Baptist in Overtime

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (2/22/24) – The Williams Baptist University men's basketball team dropped a close game in overtime by the final score of 92-88.

Duke Hardin led the team in scoring with 20 points on the night. TJ Clardy dropped 16 points and dished out a team-high six assists in the contest.  Ben Keton and Ashton Young tied for the team lead in rebounds with five each.

Williams got down early in the game following a 13-3 Missouri Baptist run in the opening five minutes.  The Eagles answered at the end of the half with a 12-0 run capped off by a Jaycon Clark trey to send WBU into the locker room with a 44-39 lead.

Missouri Baptist took control of the game following halftime, out-scoring the Eagles 18-6 through the first five minutes to take a 57-50 lead. 

WBU answered with a 12-2 run of its own capped off by a DJ Townsend three to take a 68-66 lead.

After Missouri Baptist took a 78-73 lead with 1:29 left in the ball game, TJ Clardy answered with a three pointer with 58 seconds left. Clardy then drew a foul and knocked down both free throws to keep Williams in the game with 17 seconds remaining.  Missouri Baptist's three-point attempt to win it fell short, and the Eagles forced overtime.

Missouri Baptist went on to score the first four points of overtime and never looked back, with Benjamin Sterling hitting two free throws with one second on the clock to seal the deal at 92-88 in favor of Missouri Baptist.

The loss drops WBU to 13-11 overall and 5-8 in the American Midwest Conference.  

The Eagles will look to bounce back from the loss in the final regular season contest of the year in Fulton, Mo. against William Woods on Saturday, Feb. 24. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 P.M.