South Plains edges Mesa men, 68-64
MESA, AZ - For the second straight game the Mesa men came up short at the end in a tight contest, falling to South Plains (Texas), 68-64, Saturday at Theo Heap Gym.
In a back and forth contest that saw the lead change hands 21 times and included eight ties, The Texas (11-3) took the lead for god with 35 seconds remaining on a basket by Emmnauel Omogbo to gain a 65-64 advantage. Omogbo then hit one of two free throw attempts at the 18 second mark and Brandon Neel added a dunk just before the buzzer after a missed MCC shot.
The T-Birds (8-5) had as much as a ten point lead in the first half at 32-22 when Jordan Pratt (Fr., Mesa, AZ/Red Mountain H.S.) hit one of his four three-pointers. He equaled his season high with 18 points to pace Mesa.
After slipping behing by ten, SPC scored the next seven points and trailed at the break, 34-31.
After nine lead changes to start the second half, MCC moved in front, 53-51, on another three by Pratt with 10:17 to play.
However, Mesa got only two free throws from Khari Hollowy (So., Jackson, Miss/Mountain Pointe (AZ) H.S.) from that point until the 3:48 mark and the Texans regained the lead.
Kyle Bingham (Fr., Mesa, AZ/Mountain View H.S.) scored 13 points and had seven rebounds while Gianni Dailey (So., Phoenix, AZ/St. Mary's H.S.) added 12 with six rebounds.
South Plains was led by Andre Spight who scored 18.
The T-Birds resume ACCAC play Wednesday when they visit Central Arizona for a 7:30 p.m. contest.