NW Kansas News

It took an extra 5 minutes to determine the winner in a KCAC battle between the Sterling College Warriors (9-6, 5-4) and the Avila University Eagles (2-12, 1-8) on Wednesday night. Sterling held a lead the whole game except for one point with 2 minutes left in the game, and it almost cost them. The Warriors allowed a large second half lead to slip away, but Sterling was able to hold on for an 85-81 win over the Eagles.

Sterling spent much of the first half trying to find a way to gain an edge over the Eagles and it took them much of the first half to find it, but eventually, they did. Although Sterling did not trail in the first half, it was not until there were 8 minutes left in the first half that the Warriors were able to gain their first double digit lead. It was short-lived with the Eagles finding mini runs to cut into the lead, shrinking it to just five points on a couple of occasions. However, it was an 8-0 run by the Warriors over the last four minutes of the first half that pushed their lead to 13 at the break. Although not comfortable, Sterling took a 39-26 lead into the locker room. Sterling went deep into their bench early in the game having 12 different players record time in the first half. At the break, Sterling was shooting 48% from the field, 43% from 3-point range, and 75% from the free throw line, taking full advantage of their opportunities. Poor shooting by the Eagles gave Sterling what advantage they had.

Sterling started the second half where they left off in the first. The Warriors scored the first 9 points of the half, extending their run to 17-0. Avila went nearly 8 minutes without a point and Sterling's lead was 22 with seventeen minutes left in regulation. Sterling maintained the 20 point lead until just past the 12 minute mark. In the last twelve minutes, however, Avila went on a 30-10 run of their own, actually taking a 1 point lead at one point before Will Thigpen hit a free throw to tie the game back up at 65. Avila got the last chance to score at the end of regulation but just missed a good look at a three-pointer that would have won it for the Eagles. After what became a very closely contested matchup, the Warriors and Eagles needed an extra five minutes to determine a champion. Sterling's 22 point lead had faded away. The Warriors were outscored 39-26 in the second half.

After holding off the late surge by the Eagles, Sterling scored at a torrid pace in the overtime period. Led by Cedric Rollerson, who scored 10 of his game high 24 in the overtime period, Sterling was able to sneak out with an 85-81 win. Rollerson's points came on two big three-point attempts and 4-6 free throw shooting. Will Thigpen added 6 points for Sterling in overtime going a perfect 3-3 from the field. After squeaking out the win, Sterling is now 9-6 this season and 5-4 in KCAC play.

Sterling was led by Rollerson with 24 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Derrian Reed continues to be a reliable offensive threat scoring 19 points and dishing 3 assists. Will Thigpen rounded out the double digit scoring for the Warriors with 15 points and 9 rebounds, once again narrowly missing a double-double. Kavonte Kinney came off the bench to grab 9 rebounds as well as 7 points.

Sterling shot 48% on the night from the field, just over 41% from 3-point range, and 60% from the free throw line. Sterling won the rebounding battle, 46-36, the assists battle, 14-12, the steals battle, 6-4, and also recorded the only block in the game.

Sterling returns to action Saturday afternoon in the Gleason Center in Sterling at 5 pm against the #5 ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles.

Original source can be found here.