SEWANEE, Tenn. – Sewanee trailed but 10 points in the first half but battled back and had chance to take the lead twice in the final minutes before dropping a 71-67 decision to Southwestern University in men's basketball action here Sunday at Juhan Gymnasium.
The Pirates (10-10, 4-5) jumped out to a 16-6 advantage just over seven minutes into the game, with the Tigers (8-12, 4-5 SAA) making 2-of-8 shots and recording six turnovers. Aeden Lewis netted six of his game-high 21 points and Shobby Enakpene collected four points as well for the visitors.
Sewanee reeled off 10 of the next 12 points to get within two behind field goals from
Fletcher Bigham and
Jack Bakken, two free throws by
Philip Ryan and a 3-pointer from
JD Gardner.
The teams went back-and-forth the rest of the half, with Sawyer Batz and Luke Hatcher each making triples for the Pirates, but
Reid Carrier converted an old-fashioned 3-point play and then made a three with just over a minute to play, knotting the game at 29.
Enakpene made a midrange jumper and Lewis connected on 1-of-2 foul shots for a 32-31 Southwestern edge at the half.
The Pirates started the second half with a 14-5 run for a 10-point advantage again behind 3-pointers from Zach Gomez and Hatcher along with six points by Enakpene. The Tigers cut into the deficit with a 7-0 spurt thanks to a triple by Gardner and field goals from Ryan and
Nikolas Avaliani.
Hatcher added another three and a putback from Lewis stretched the Southwestern lead to 53-45 with 12 minutes to play. Two baskets from Avaliani and a layup by
Aidan Treacy made it a three-point game again before consecutive field goals by Luke Mills pushed the advantage back to seven.
Another 7-0 run by Sewanee knotted the game at 63 with 4:28 to play, with Bakken and Bigham each netting buckets along with two free throws by Bakken and 1-of-2 from Carrier. The Tigers got a defensive stop but Carrier's pass deflected and stolen near midcourt, with Lewis slamming home the dunk for the Pirates.
Bigham evened the game again with two foul shots, but Gomez nailed a huge 3-pointer that put the Pirates ahead for good with three minutes remaining. Bigham's field goal with 90 seconds to play cut the deficit to one, but Enakpene converted two free throws with 1:08 on the clock.
Sewanee had two offensive possessions to score or tie the game, but Bigham and Carrier each missed shots. Lewis, who was 2-for-8 at the foul line entering the final minute, added 1-of-2 with 7.5 seconds remaining, sealing the win for Southwestern.
Bigham paced the Tigers with 16 points and nine rebounds but was limited to just six shots and 5-for-6 at the foul line. Bakken finished with 10 points and eight boards while Avaliani scored 13. Sewanee made 16-of-25 at the foul line, missing opportunities in both halves.
Enakpene posted 16 points and Mills collected 11 points and seven rebounds.
The Tigers play their final two home games of the season next weekend, hosting Oglethorpe University and Berry College.
