#1 seeded Dallas Baptist University defeated #4 seeded Roberts Wesleyan College 107-104 in triple overtime in Oakland City, Indiana in the semi-final game of the NCCAA Tournament late Saturday night. It was a game that people will remember and talk about for a long time.
After feeling each other out for the first eight minutes of the game Roberts made a push with an 8-2 run capped by a Jake Russell layup to go ahead 22-14 at the 9:19 mark of the first half. Dallas Baptist responded with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to one point after Nick Fox hit a three pointer, but the Raiders responded closing out the half with another run of their own, a 15-6 stretch that had Roberts up 37-27 at intermission. The Raiders were extremely balanced in their scoring as eight players scored, five had at least 5 points, and Alif Bland leading the way with 8.
The second half saw Roberts methodically build their lead. When Alif Bland scored with 7:49 left to put the Raiders up 71-52, playing in the finals against Spring Arbor University seemed to be a foregone conclusion. The game turned quickly and dramatically as Dallas Baptist went on a 27-2 run to give the Patriots a 78-73 lead. Five turnovers and five missed free throws compounded Roberts' offensive woes during the six minute nightmare, but with 1:21 to play Rashaad Stokelin's layup finally woke up the Raiders. Bland made a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 78-77 with 30 seconds remaining. Roberts fouled with 21 seconds on the clock to put the Patriots back on the line. Jordan McGowen's attempt rolled off and the Raiders had a chance to win it. Jordan Heath was fouled with 7 seconds left in regulation. Heath made one out of two and the game went to overtime tied at 78.
The first overtime saw the lead change five times. Alif Bland committed his fifth personal foul with 38 seconds to go. TJ Clark made both free throws to put Dallas up one. Ten seconds later Justin Andreozzi made one out of two free throws to tie the ball game once again. Braxton Adamson missed a three pointer with 3 seconds remaining to send the game into a second OT tied at 87 points apiece.
The second OT once again had opportunity for the Raiders to close it out. Dan Foley made two free throws to put the Raiders up three with 2:25 left to play. Jordan Heath fouled out with 1:56 to go but Rashaad Stokelin's three point basket gave Roberts a four point cushion with only 1:20 remaining. TJ Clark sandwiched back to back baskets around two missed Justin Andreozzi free throws and Stokelin's last second jumper bounced off the rim as time expired.
Roberts never led in the third OT but had their chances. A Will Kemp-Harris layup cut the Patriots lead to one point with 1:48 left in the third OT. This year's Pete Maravich Award Winner, Braxton Adamson, responded with a three point shot to put the Patriots up four 103-99 with 1:08 remaining. A pair of free throws by Stokelin cut the lead to 103-101. TJ Clark missed a jumper with 15 seconds and in transition Stokelin went up for a three point shot that would have put Roberts ahead. At the last moment Curt Despard opened up uncovered in the paint. Stokelin decided to pass instead of shoot but the pass sailed over Despard and out of bounds with 12 seconds left. The Raiders were forced to foul. Adamson made both free throws. Stokelin responded with a three pointer from the corner with 7 seconds left to make it 105-104 but two final free throws by Clark closed out the victory for Dallas Baptist 107-104.
For the Raiders, Alif Bland scored 31 points and pulled down 11 rebounds before fouling out. Two other Raiders also had double doubles. Dan Foley had 15 points and 10 rebounds to go along with 7 assists, and Jordan Heath had 14 points, 10 rebounds and 7 blocked shots before both players fouled out. Rashaad Stokelin finished with 17 points and Justin Andreozzi tallied 15.
Dallas was led by Adamson's 26 points. Nick Fox had 22, Clark 16, McGowen 14, and Jared Whitmire finished with 10.
Dallas Baptist University went on to win the NCCAA Championship the next day versus Spring Arbor University 78-64. Roberts Wesleyan finishes out a very exciting and productive season at 21-14.
