By Bob Branan
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — For Connors State, it was a game of uncharacteristically poor free throw shooting at critical times, too many mistakes on the defensive boards and unsound ball-handling.
For Walters State, it was just the opposite.
The result was the Cowboys falling into the consolation bracket of the NJCAA national tournament after a disappointing 93-84 overtime loss to the Seminoles in the opening round here Wednesday afternoon. They will play Southeast Illinois College at 2 p.m. today. Southeast lost to Howard, Texas.
Walters State (22-8) never trailed after getting the first four points via offensive rebounds to start overtime. It then sealed the deal hitting seven of its final nine points from the foul line.
Connors (30-3), on the other hand, missed six free throws in the final five minutes of regulation.
Despite the missed free throws, the Cowboys still had a chance to win the game in regulation, but Ray Jones’ last-second shot was blocked by Fred Sturdivant as time expired, leaving the game tied at 78.
CSC coach Bill Muse told his players on Tuesday night that they had to execute, make their free throws and avoid mistakes to win.
“The first game of a tournament like this is always tough,” he said. “The team that takes care of business goes on. The team that doesn’t will not advance, that’s what it all boils down to.”
Walters State made Connors pay for each of its mistakes as it employed a defense that resembled the matchup zone CSC had to contend with when they won the Region II tournament 11 days ago.
Connors had 18 turnovers, 12 of those turning into points for the Seminoles, who had six miscues. Walters’ bench players outscored Connors 49-8.
Muse said free throws were the difference in the game.
Connors was 23-of-36 at the line, missing 14-of-26 opportunities in the second half.
“If we make just one of those, we win,” said Muse. “That’s basketball. That’s the nature of big games like this. It always comes down to something critical.”
Walters used three-point shots from Addison Flynn and Desmond Crisp in the final 3:09 to tie the game forcing overtime.
After Washington made a pair of free throws at 3:37 giving the Cowboys a four-point advantage, Flynn answered with long basket from the wing.
Jones then may a steal and layup for Connors at 2:25.
From there, Connors missed four consecutive foul shots. At 1:10, Crisp’s trey tied the game on a transition basket after a Cowboys miss from the charity line. The Cowboys were errant on two more free throws just inside the one-minute mark.
Walters had a turnover with 26.3 seconds left. The Cowboys then went for the final shot and win.
“I thought we waited too long (eight seconds remained) before we started our final attack,” Muse said. “Our first option was get the ball inside to C.J., but they had him covered up. Ray took a pass on the wing with three seconds left, he just didn’t have enough room for a decent shot.”
In overtime, Walters got the tip and the first points on a put-back by Dremaine Smith. Marsallis Malone made a second rebound shot 31 seconds later — after a Cowboys turnover.
Washington made two Cowboys’ free throws at the 3:40 mark and it was a two-point game, but Connors could not get any closer. After Crisp hit a jumper, the Seminoles started their string of free throws to the win.
Washington had 24 points and 14 rebounds. He had just two points and five boards in the first half. Mark Rutledge added 20.
High for Walters, who had six in double figures, was Flynn with 17
Connors had the rebounding edge, 52-40.
