CONWAY, Ark. – Southwestern led by 10 points with two minutes to play in regulation but ultimately fell 105-94 in double overtime to Hendrix College on Friday night.
Hendrix jumped out to a seven point lead, 2-9, five minutes in forcing Southwestern into a timeout. The Pirates slowly battled back to tie the game at 18 with 9:31 to go in the first half and then Nicholas Atiee's three pointer but SU up by three.
The game remained tight throughout the remainder of the half, with four lead changes and one tie. Two free throws by James Davenport brought the Pirates within three, 33-30, heading into halftime.
Southwestern quickly tied the game as the second half got underway on a three pointer by Daniel Mataya. Hendrix pulled ahead 37-40 with 16:30 to play before SU embarked on a 7-0 run to go ahead by four, 44-40 with just under 14 minutes remaining.
Teams traded baskets with the Pirates maintaining a slight advantage through 12 minutes, taking a six point lead into the final eight minutes of the game.
Logan Hurley's three pointer after Southwestern's time out with 4:35 on the clock put SU up by eight, 63-55. Hendrix had another fight left in them, putting together a 4-0 run to pull within four, 63-59 with three and a half on the clock. Two free throws by Nick Caputo put the Pirates back up by eight, 67-59 with two and half to play and Michael Cantu (pictured) followed with a jumper giving the Pirates their largest lead, 10 points with two minutes left.
Hendrix refused to go away, however, and came within two, 73-71 with 21 ticks on the clock. A costly turnover by SU with 10 seconds left resulted in a jumper by HC's Colton Primm with six seconds on the clock to tie the game at 73. Cantu's last second layup was off the mark to send the game into overtime.
Southwestern took a slight lead a couple of times before Hendrix brought the game back even, 83-83, with 1:16 to go. Primm handed the lead back to HC from the free throw line, 84-83, with 42 seconds to go.
After a defensive stop by Southwestern the Warriors fouled Mataya who converted on his two free throws to tie the game once more and force a second overtime.
Hendrix took control as overtime number two got underway, going up by four points, 89-85 one minute in and never allowed the Pirates the lead to close out the unlikely victory.
Caputo led Southwestern with 23 points and 12 rebounds while Davenport had a season high 20 points. Hurley added in 16 and Cantu 14 in the loss. Hendrix had six players in double figures led by Jaren Riley with 20 points.
SU heads to Jackson, Miss. on Saturday to face Millsaps College at 8:00 pm.
