For the first time since 2001, the MUS varsity basketball team is region-tournament champions following the 56-46 victory over Briarcrest in the title game last Friday evening.
But the path to the title was not easy for MUS, which finished 4-6 in the league during the regular season.
Following solid victories over Rossville and FACS in the first two rounds of the tournament, the Owls faced the overall top-seed in the region, ECS, last Tuesday in the semifinals.
Those hoping for a close game between these two rivals were sorely disappointed as MUS dominated from the outset and never let up as they cruised to the 73-39 victory.
The Owls outscored the Eagles in every quarter as they stretched their 16-4 first-quarter lead to 38-16 at the half.
But they did not let up in the second half as they continued to increase the advantage, leading at one point by 36 before taking the 34-point win.
Every Owl saw action as nine players scored, led by Elliott Cole’s 18 points. Ferrakohn Hall added 14 points and 9 rebounds, and three other players – Louis Amagliani, Taylor Reed, and Robert Counce – added 8 points. MUS shot 66.7% from the field in the first half and 55.3% for the game as they dominated the regular-season champion Eagles.
The win not only advanced the Owls to the region-title game but also clinched a berth in the state tournament. Now MUS looked to avenge two previous close losses to Briarcrest, improve their seeding for state, and win the region title.
In front of a packed Rowell Arena last Friday night, the Owls started well as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead before Briarcrest could score. But BCS then went on a 6-1 run to tie the game, and the battle was on.
The Saints went on the first big run of the game as they outscored the visitors, 20-5, to turn a 4-point first-quarter deficit into an 11-point lead midway through the second quarter.
But in the final five minutes of the half, MUS went on a 12-2 run to cut the gap to 28-27 at the break. Cole sparked that run with 5 points as his squad had the momentum in the locker-room.
The game slowed somewhat in the third quarter as neither team shot well, and the game remained close. Leslie McDonald’s lay-up with 1:41 left was the last points of the third quarter and gave the Saints the 36-34 advantage heading into the fourth.
Briarcrest looked to put MUS away early in the fourth as they went on a 5-0 run to take a 7-point lead, 41-34, with 6:30 left in the game.
But with the BCS home crowd ready to watch the visitors fold, the Owls got back into the game with their aggressive press and some key perimeter baskets.
MUS forced 8 Saint turnovers in the final six minutes and hit two key three-point field goals to tie the game with 4:00 remaining and take the lead with 3:45. They would never relinquish that advantage as they would ultimately extend the lead by making 8-9 free throws in the final quarter to take the 10-point win.
Cole once again led MUS with 17 points, shooting 3-5 from three-point range, while Amagliani and Reed added 13 points. The Owls forced 19 BCS turnovers, held the Saints to 39% field-goal shooting, and shot 7-14 (50%) from the three-point line. MUS ended the game on a 22-5 run to break open a close game and win going away.
Three Owls were recognized for their play at region. Hall and Cole were both named to the All-Tournament Team, and Amagliani was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
With the region title, the Owls (22-9) are the top-seed from the West in next-week’s state tournament, to be held at David Lipscomb University in Nashville. They will open against Pope John Paul II, the third seed from the Middle region, in the first basketball meeting between the two schools. Tipoff is set for Thursday, March 1, at 1:30 p.m. at Allen Arena.
For a complete Division II state-tournament bracket, click here.