SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Senior guard Daniel Joiner of West Chicago, Ill., delivered the game-winning three-point play with just seconds remaining as the Ashford University (4-1, 0-0 MCC) men's basketball team won its third consecutive game, dropping Mount Marty College, 62-60 to open the Catholic Classic on Friday.
The two-day Catholic Classic, hosted by Briar Cliff University, also featured Midwest Collegiate Conference counterpart Clarke College.
The Saints battled back from a four-point deficit at the half and whittled what became a 10-point setback into two-point lead with 12:50 remaining on a trifecta from sophomore Matthias Burns of Chicago.
There would
be one tie and one other lead change the rest of the way as the Lancers led
60-59 on a free throw by Weston Kusser with 40 ticks left in regulation.
AU Head Coach Andy Eberhart drew up a play following a timeout to free up Joiner and the Saints executed to perfection beginning with a screen set by sophomore forward Marvis Kidd of Hazel Crest, Ill.
"We started
playing the way like we knew we could and got out running for some transition
baskets in the second half," Eberhart said. "They (Mount Marty
College) went on a run
and we turned it over a couple times down the stretch. We were fortunate to get
that win, but it's a good win."
Junior guard Mike Relerford of Rockford, Ill., stuffed the stat sheet with five points, six assists and team-high six rebounds.
Burns led the Saints with a team-best 14 points and senior guard Byron Emerson of Rockford, Ill., chipped in 13, nine on three-point field goals.
