Seward County falls in OT to Western Nebraska 83-76

LIBERAL, Kan. - Seward County Community College falls to Western Nebraska Community College 83-76 in overtime on Saturday night in the Greenhouse. The Saints were able to tie the game with seven seconds left in regulation on a Taye Donald lay-up but the Cougars took a lead in overtime and the Saints could not get back in front. Seward County falls to 2-2 on the season and will open conference play on Wednesday against Pratt Community College in Liberal at 8 PM. 

To start the game the Saints went back and forward with the Cougars as Seward County led 11-9 with 15 minutes left in the first half. Western Nebraska went on a 6-0 run that forced Seward County to use a timeout as they trailed 15-11. After a pair of free throws by Wilson Dubinsky, the Saints tied the game at 15 all with 11:03 left in the half. 

Erik Pratt started to connect on threes for the Saints as they took a 24-20 lead over the Cougars with 6:50 left in the first half. Seward County went in halftime with a 40-34 advantage over the Cougars after Pratt connected on another three before the buzzer sounded.

Western Nebraska started the second half on a 7-4 run to cut the lead down to a three-point game 44-41. Donald responded with a three to put the Saints up 47-41 with 15:29 left in the game. The Cougars came back with a 12-3 run to take the lead 53-50 over the Saints with 7:10 left. Seward County went on a quick 4-0 run with a mid-range jumper by Branton "Bee" McCrary was followed up by a steal and a score by Taye Donald with 2:45 left the Saints led 62-61. 

With 20 seconds left the Saints were able to get a turnover as McCrary pressured the ball dribbler and the Cougars lost it out of bounds. With seven seconds left Donald attacked the basket and connected on a layup to tie the game at 66 all. The Cougars committed an offensive foul after they ran over Donald at half court and Seward County had one final chance in regulation with three seconds left. Pratt was unable to connect on a final shot as the buzzer sounded and the game was headed into overtime with the score tied at 66-66. 

In overtime, the Saints took a 72-68 lead after a corner three by Pratt with 3:27 left on the clock. Western Nebraska took the lead 75-74 in overtime on a three-pointer from the left wing with 1:51 left. The Cougars closed out overtime on an 11-2 run to win the game 83-76 over the Saints.

Seward County was led by Erik Pratt with 26 points, seven rebounds, and seven steals. Taye Donald added 18 points, and Kevon Cooper had 10 points for the Saints.

The Saints are back in the Greenhouse on Wednesday, November 17th to take on the Beavers from Pratt at 8 PM.