From the Sports Information Department, Fontbonne University.
NOTE: Christopher graduate Josh Calloni is on the Fontbonne JV team. He did not see any varsity action in this game. Since it was just outside our region, I thought the score was worth sharing – Steve
GREENVILLE, Ill.— By far the craziest game to date, one that the fans and players will remember forever, the Fontbonne University men’s basketball team set a school-record with 164 points in its 10-point (164-154) overtime win over Greenville. The two teams combined for 318 points which is a SLIAC and NCAA Division III single-game record.
The previous single-game record at Fontbonne was set all the way back in 1994 when the Griffins put up 154 points on St. Louis Christian College. The combined points of 318 also breaks a 23-year NCAA Division III record that was held back on November 19th, 1994, when Simpson (167) and Grinnell (148) combined for 315 points.
The two teams also combined for 125 rebounds and that breaks the previous 14-year record that was most recently tied at 124 between Chapman (65) and Redlands (59).
The Griffins (4-16; 2-11 SLIAC), were leading throughout the game up until Greenville finally got the lead at 142-141 on Vari Bonney’s bucket at 1:01. Then, with 24.0 seconds left, Josias Parker hit a fall away bank shot to give Greenville a 144-141 advantage.
However, Kris McCann raced up the court, made his shot and got fouled on the play. He went on to make the bucket to tie the game at 144-144 with 15.0 seconds remaining. McCann had himself a memorable night where he went 16-of-20 from the floor to finish with a career-high 40 points and dished out 10 assists.
The Panthers had the chance to win the game with seconds remaining, however, the team missed all four of its shots and it was off to overtime.
In overtime, at the 3:35 mark, Luke DeLine, who returned to the lineup for the first time since January 10th, hit a corner 3-pointer to give the Griffins a 150-147 advantage. From there on, the Griffins maintained its composure outscoring the Panthers 20-10 en route to the 10-point win.
On the night, Fontbonne missed just 25 shots, going 60-of-85 to finish with a school-record 70.6 field goal percentage. The team shot 73.8 percent from the field in the first half, 68.8 percent in the second half and 70.6 percent in overtime. Jared Woodcockposted a career-high 27 points and boards, while DeLine ended his night with 25 points and 12 rebounds off the bench.
Guard James Wiggins in last night’s action for the Griffins.
Tristan Baker went a perfect 7-of-7 from the field to finish with a career-high 21 points off the bench. James Wiggins added a career-high 17 points of his own, while Noah Coddington contributed 15 points and a career-high 17 rebounds, 16 of which came on the defensive side of the glass.
Greenville (12-8; 9-4 SLIAC), takes the tough defeat as its 154-point total is the most points scored by a losing team. The Panthers put up 139 shots, including 79 3-pointers and 33 free throws. They shot 41.0 percent from the floor and 30.4 percent from downtown, but struggled at the line connecting on 16 of its attempts.
They had seven players reach double-figures with Riley Simmons scoring a team-high 22 points on 8-of-17 shooting. Isiah Price and Johari Dix added 18 each, while Vari Bonney (15), Barry Nixon (14) and Josias Parker (13) were the final players to reach double-digits.
In the first half, the Griffins were up 25-19 at 12:58. Then, they rattled off a 12-0 run in two minutes and 30 seconds to take a commanding 37-19 lead on McCann’s jumper. The offense continued its hot-shooting from there as another McCann jumper put Fontbonne ahead 59-39 (4:18).
They maintained that double-digit lead the rest of the way and went into the locker room on top, 78-62. The Griffins shot an outstanding 73.8 percent from the floor, while the Panthers had its struggles at 35.9 percent.
In the second half, the Panthers offense caught fire fast. In one minute and 13 seconds, Greenville went on a 9-2 run to make it an 80-71 outing. They cut it down to five (91-86), at the 15:59 mark, but Fontbonne answered right back on Woodcock’s 3-pointer.
The Griffins maintained its marginal lead up until the Panthers hard fought effort paid off at 12:08, where Isiah Price made both of his free throws to tie the game at 99.
The Panthers eventually got the lead (102-101) on Price’s 3-pointer with 11:43 left in regulation. However, the Griffins took the advantage back on Baker’s free throws less than 45.0 seconds later.
The high paced back-and-forth play continued as the clock ticked away. Then, with 1:14 left, McCann’s jumper gave Fontbonne a 141-140 lead. Greenville got the lead back and stretched it out to three, though McCann answered with the old-fashioned 3-point play to eventually force OT.
From then on, the rest is literally history, as the Griffins outscored the Panthers by 10 and went on for the 164-154 record setting win.
The team looks to build off this monumental win on Saturday as they’ll host Westminster for a 3 p.m., tip-off.
Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates and recaps on the men’s basketball team.
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