Men's Basketball Wins Overtime Thriller to Stun UM-Dearborn

(Lansing, MI)-- The Cleary Cougar Men's Basketball team needed a late comeback to force overtime, and controlled the extra period, as they won a crucial game 99-94 over the Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines Tuesday evening in Lansing.

It was a true back and forth start, as the two teams would find themselves tied 15-15 at the halfway mark of the opening half.  Amare Slaughter would give the Cougars a three point lead after connecting from behind the arc, but that lead would be shortlived, as UM-Dearborn would be able to tie the game moments later.  With less than 5:00 to play in the half, Jacob Mueller would tie the game himself, when he hit a three to make the score 26-26.  Late in the half, and with Cleary trailing by one, the Wolverines would hit a three, taking a four point lead, the largest for either team in the opening half.  A Nick Ellis three on the other end tied it back up, and the teams would play on.  On Cleary's final offensive possession, Isaiah Bailey would draw a foul, make both free throws, and gave the Cougars a temporary 39-38 lead.  UM-Dearborn answered on the other end, hitting a three of their own, and sending both teams into the locker room with a 41-39 score favoring the visitors.

UM-Dearborn came out of the gate fast to start the second half, and within four minutes, had built a 52-42 lead.  A Nick Ellis three pointer, followed by a Nick Ellis and-one would cut into the deficit, and made the score 54-50.  After a two on the other end, Zane Kemp would hit a three, with Cleary trailing 56-53.  The two teams jockeyed for position once again, with Cleary unable to narrow the gap closer than three points, and with the Wolverines unable to truly pull away.  A Wolverine layup with 3:21 would put the Cougars into an 81-72 hole, but Cleary would not go down without a fight.  Jacob Mueller and Amare Slaughter would get the Cougars back to within six points by making three total free throws, with 2:22 to play in the game.  After a defensive stop, Isaiah Bailey went coast to coast, scoring a layup, and cutting the Wolverine lead to 81-77.  A single free throw on the other end by UM-Dearborn made it a five point game with ninety seconds to play.  Zane Kemp would score a layup, draw the foul, and make the and-one free throw with 1:17 to go, and getting the Cougars to within two points.  Cleary would be forced to foul, and the Wolverines would make their free throws on the other end with 1:00 to play.  With the score 84-80, Nick Ellis answered at the free throw line himself.  A defensive stop by the Cougars gave Cleary the ball, and no shot clock.  Derrick Miller would have his number called, and though Miller was able to get his shot, it would not fall.  Zane Kemp would grab the offensive rebound, and put it back in, tying the game at 84-84.  Cleary's defense would hold on, and overtime would be needed.

In the extra period, Zane Kemp gave the Cougars their first lead since the 39-38 score late in the first half, when he made a bucket in the paint.  A defensive stop led to a foul, by the Wolverines, where Chaz Cobbs Jr. made the first of his two free throws.  His second would rim out, but an offensive rebound by Nick Ellis set up a jumper by Derrick Miller, giving Cleary an 89-84 advantage.  UM-Dearborn scored the next four points of the game to make it a one point game once again.  With Cleary leading by two points later in the overtime, Isaiah Bailey grabbed an offensive rebound, put it back in, and gave the Cougars a 93-89 lead.  The Wolverines would draw a foul, making one of two free throws, and giving the Cougars back the ball.  Another offensive rebound and put back by Zane Kemp gave Cleary a five point lead with 1:00 left in the game.  UM-Dearborn would be forced to play the foul game, but Cleary made their free throws down the stretch, and steals by Derrick Miller and Chaz Cobbs Jr. sealed the victory for Cleary with the final score at 99-94.

Nick Ellis led CU with 20 points and 7 rebounds.  Derrick Miller had 19 points off the bench, 14 in the second half and overtime period.  Zane Kemp would have 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists, with 15 points coming in the second half and overtime.  Isaiah Bailey would add 13 points and 7 rebounds, while Jacob Mueller had 12 points.

The win gives the Cougars a 7-13 record overall, and they are now 6-9 in the WHAC.  Cleary will look to make it two in a row on Saturday, January 31, when they travel to Sylvania, Ohio to take on the Lourdes Gray Wolves.  The game is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM.