LAKEWOOD, CO – Rare is the opportunity to upset a nationally ranked team. Even more rare, is to have the chance on Senior Night.
The Colorado Christian men's basketball turned the trick on Saturday evening. Despite trailing by 16 points, the Cougars rallied for a thrilling 105-97 overtime win against No. 13 Dixie State.
Prior to the game the program honored seniors Jake Hornick and Collin Huun.
HOW IT HAPPENED: During the initial minutes of the opening half the Cougars carried over their momentum from Friday night's regionally ranked win against Westminster. Colorado Christian jumped out to a 19-13 edge on the strength of three made shots from behind the arc. However, the Trailblazers responded with a 12-0 scoring spurt to take a 25-19 advantage.
The Cougars were able to tie the contest at 27-27 but over the final five-plus minutes, the visitors took control. Dixie State scored 19 of the frame's final 25 points, including a deep three-pointer at the buzzer, as they went into the locker room with a 48-35 edge.
Despite that double figure deficit, the Cougars battled back and pulled within two points (67-65) when Hornick nailed a jumper with 10:35 remaining. Moments later, a five-point played occurred for the Cougars when Aiden Cantwell nailed a three-pointer and Justin Engesser was found at the hoop on the same play. Engesser made both free throws to bring the Cougars within 71-70 as the scoreboard read 9:13 remaining.
With 6:10 left in the game Jadyn Michael nailed a three-pointer to knot the score at 78-78. Prior to that shot, the junior drove a crowded lane and threw down a thunderous dunk that aided in the Cougars momentum and brought the Event Center crowd to full throat.
Dixie State was able to push their lead to 86-80 with just under three minutes left. A pair of Hornick foul shots got the home team's deficit down to 86-84 with 1:16 left in the contest. After one free throw from Dixie State, the Cougars came down on their next possession but a three-pointer to tie the contest by Collin Huun feel short with 42 ticks remaining.
The Cougars still had life though and when Hornick hit a pair of shots from the charity stripe with just 7.9 left in regulation he tied the game at 88-88. Dixie State had a shot at the buzzer but it didn't connect.
For the first time since early in the first half the Cougars took the lead when Engesser nailed a three-pointer to give his team a 93-90 edge with 2:51 left in the extra session. Spencer Hoffman extended that lead to 95-90 with a pair of foul shots. Dixie State never got within one possession of tying or taking the lead down the stretch the rest of the way.
QUOTEABLE: Senior Jake Hornick
On the beating a nationally ranked team on Senior Night: "It is hard to put into words. After going through such a rough patch this season and to win tonight and on senior night, I could not be more proud. "
On Coming back from a double digit deficit: "Going into halftime we knew we have to toughen on defense and limit the turnovers. We had to come out and get stops then punch them in the mouth on offense."
Hitting the two foul shots to send the game to OT: "This year has been a struggle from the foul line and I just blocked out all the noise and I knew had the confidence to hit both shots and send the game into overtime."
COUGAR LEADERS: Hornick had a team high 24 points and dished out five assists. He played all but three minutes of the game and also grabbed six rebounds.
Aidan Cantwell had his best game of the season with a 23-point effort as he went 8-for-9 from the floor, including a 6-for-7 from behind the arc. Spencer Hoffman added an 18-point, seven-rebound performance. Engesser (12 points) and Huun (11) also went for double figures.
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- It is Colorado Christian's first win against a national ranked opponent since Jan. 26, 2013 when they beat #18 Adams State 78-76
- The last time the Cougars scored 100 points was Nov. 19, 2016 vs. Northwest Nazarene (W, 103-84)
- Colorado Christian held a plus-12 rebounding edge (43-31)
- The Cougars hit a season high 15 three-pointers
UP NEXT: Colorado Christian closes out the season on Friday, Feb. 28 when they host Regis at 7 p.m.
