The University of Sioux Falls and Grand View University both held substantial leads, but the Cougars were able to close the gap on the Viking’s lead in the second half to force overtime, fitting for the No. 16, USF, and No. 17 teams in the NAIA. USF played their best ball of the game in the overtime, pulling away for the 69-65 win in the first round of the NAIA Division II Basketball Tournament held in Branson, Mo.
USF built their substantial lead in the first half, as Malloy had eight points in the opening 10 minutes, putting USF up 16-6. However, GVU would go on a 10-0 run and tie the game with a few minutes left in the first half.
GVU had several opportunities to tie the game on free throw attempts, but missed as USF built a 20-16 lead. After a GVU 4-0 run and with the game tied at 20 with just over a minute left in the half, sophomore Jack Ridgway (Brandon, S.D.) drained two free throws. GVU hit one of two free throw attempts on their last possession and the Cougars found themselves up 22-21 at halftime.
Despite an apparent GVU size advantage, the Cougars out rebounded the Vikings 18-17 in the first half. Malloy had 12 points to lead USF in the opening 20 minutes, while junior Kelly Hubbard (Carson, Calif.) had seven rebounds. Neither team shot particularly well, with the Vikings hitting 25.9% from the floor and the Cougars hitting 38.1%. GVU was 7 of 13 from the free throw line.
GVU came out quick in the second half, making their first jumper and taking their first lead of the game 23-22. The Vikings continued to push the ball and slowly built their lead to 42-37.
Down 53-44 with 2:30 left in the game, the Cougars were facing elimination. Hubbard had other ideas in mind, as he made two lay-ins and a free throw attempt to close the gap to 53-49. After an ineffective Viking possession, Malloy found the net from three point range with 1:18 left in regulation to pull the Cougars within a point, down 53-52. After a GVU three-point play, the Cougars needed two jump shots by Malloy to tie the game. The Vikings had a last-second chance to win the game as they had the ball for the remaining 11 seconds of the second half, but a missed shot and a tip-in attempt, forcing the game to overtime.
GVU made two free throws to take the initial lead of the overtime period, but Malloy responded with another three point basket to give USF its first lead since the beginning of the second half.
The Vikings were able to answer USF’s buckets until Malloy drained two free throws and Frames hit a jumper and a free throw to give the Cougars a 67-65 lead. Hubbard’s two free throws with 6.1 seconds left on the clock gave USF a 69-65 lead, the final score of the game. The win advances the Cougars to the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive year.
Malloy finished with 26 points and five rebounds, with Hubbard nearing a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds. Frames finished with 13 points and seven rebounds.
USF will play the winner of the Walsh University (Ohio) vs. University of Maine-Fort Kent game on Friday at 10:15 a.m. Walsh is the No. 1 team in the NAIA and holds the No. 1 seed in the tournament.
