SAN ANGELO, Texas -- Pierre Sanders drilled a rainbow on a turnaround jumper from 17 feet out to Midwestern State the lead with 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation Saturday afternoon at Junell Center/Stephens Arena.
That left just enough time for Carvell Teasett to loft a length-of-the-court baseball pass which was snared by Kevon Godwin, who apparently beat the clock with a jumper to tie the game and send it to overtime.
Three overtime period later, the Rams closed out the Mustangs with an 8-0 run over the final 98 seconds to survive with a 92-87 win.
The loss put Midwestern State's hopes of reaching the Lone Star Conference Postseason Tournament on thin ice. The Mustangs (14-11, 8-11 LSC) must now win their remaining three games and hope for a lot of assistance.
MSU relied on its starting trio of guards including
Mason Gibson (24 points),
Bakari LaStrap (21 points), and
Pierre Sanders (14 points) who combined for 69 points and played a integral role in helping the Mustangs overcome a 16-point deficit early in the season half.
Angelo State managed just one field goal over a stretch 8 minutes and 45 seconds down the stretch in regulation. That allowed the Mustangs to outscore the Rams 19-3 during that stretch and took the lead when Sanders hit the third of three consecutive jumpers to close out a 10-0 run for a 60-58 advantage with 3:52 to play.
The Mustangs were unable to extend the advantage and Angelo State tied the game at 65-65 on a pair of free throws by Keyshawn Embery-Simpson with 12 seconds to play.
Sanders answered with his turnaround jumper with 0.1 seconds showing on the clock. After a video review, the officials added 0.3 seconds allowing the Rams just enough time to tie the game.
Gibson provided tying scores in the first two overtime sessions, hitting a pair of free throw with seven seconds left in the first OT to tie the score at 76-76, then hitting a driving layup in traffic with 22 seconds left in the second overtime to knot the game at 80-80.
The Mustangs went on a 7-1 run midway through the third extra session, and led 87-84 when LaStrap buried a 3-pointer from the left corner with 2:04 to go.
But Angelo State (17-8, 12-7 LSC) scored the final eight points, hitting all four free throws in the closing seconds.
Embery-Simpson paced the Rams with 24 points on 8-of-27 shooting with four 3-pointers, while Godwin added 21 points with seven rebounds and six assists.
Midwestern State's woes at the Junell Center continued with its ninth consecutive loss at the facility. The Mustangs also suffered their first overtime loss of the season after beating Colorado State-Pueblo, St. Mary's, and Angelo State.
MSU and ASU played to five overtime periods this season.
The Mustangs play host to Texas A&M-Kingsville Thursday night at D.L. Ligon Coliseum. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
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-- MSUMustangs.com --