BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's basketball team defeated LeTourneau University 75-74 in overtime Saturday afternoon in Belton. The Cru improved to 15-4 on the season and 10-2 in league play, while the YellowJackets fell to 9-11 overall and 6-7 in American Southwest Conference action.
 
The first five minutes of play saw four lead changes before the YellowJackets scored nine unanswered points to establish an advantage. UMHB responded with a nine-point run, led by Josiah Johnson with three, to even the score 18-18 at the 9:45 mark. The contest proceeded in even play until the final four minutes, when the Cru used a 10-point run to close the half ahead 34-23.
 
UMHB shot 43.8 percent from the field and recorded 20 points in the paint. Ty Prince led the way for the Cru in first half action with 14 points and five rebounds. Luke Feely also added five boards to the Cru's first half 22 total rebounds.
 
The Cru grew their lead to as large as 12 with quick back-to-back baskets from Johnson and Nathan Stolz. The YellowJackets cut the gap down four with a 10-2 run at the 15:54 mark. The next ten minutes saw even play, until the YellowJackets scored 10 unanswered points to go up by five. UMHB capitalized on foul shots to knot-it up 67-67 with 2:19 left on the clock. In the final minute, each team only recorded one more basket and the second half closed out with a 69-69 tie.
 
LeTourneau got on the board first in overtime with three quick points. Josiah Johnson brought the game within two with a made foul shot with 4:21 on the clock. The contest remained scoreless until the 1:14 mark when Kyle Wright sank a free throw. The YellowJackets scored a basket in the paint on the next procession, but it was answered with a jump shot by Johnson to cut the gap to one. The Cru caused the YellowJackets two turnovers before D.J. Kane sunk a basket with 1.1 seconds left on the clock to bring the Cru ahead by one. UMHB created one more turnover for the YellowJackets in the final play to secure the 75-74 victory.
 
Prince recorded a double-double leading the Cru with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Johnson also added 23 points to the Cru's 75 total. Feely was big under the basket adding nine rebounds and a block. UMHB caused the YellowJackets 23 turnovers, including 14 steals, led by Johnson with three.
 
UMHB returns to action Thursday, February 2^nd in a 7:30 p.m. contest against Sul Ross State University in Alpine.