Lawrence Reporter

Wildcats Pick Up Big Win Over Missouri Valley in Overtime, 75-71

After losing two of their last three games, the Baker men's basketball team dug deep late in the game on Wednesday evening to come from behind and defeat Missouri Valley in overtime, 75-71.

Noah Rigatuso led the Wildcats in scoring on Wednesday, scoring 17 points, missing just five shots in the game. Quentin Harvey was Baker's next highest scorer with 16 points, while Braden Wiggs added 12 points. Harvey was able to record a double-double on the night, pulling down a game-high 15 rebounds as well, while Justin Batts II added 11 boards.

Baker held a slim lead for the first eight minutes of the game, but with 12:01 left until halftime, a bucket by the Vikings gave Missouri Valley a 15-14 lead. Both teams traded the lead back and forth for the next few minutes, but with 8:31 to play, Baker trailed by a score of 25-20.

Before the end of the half, the Vikings stretched their lead to as many as 14 points, but two free throws by Braden Wiggs cut the lead to 41-29 heading into the locker room for halftime.

Five minutes into the second half, the Vikings still led, 51-36, but Baker then buckled down on both ends of the floor and fought their way back. Over the next seven minutes, the Wildcats went on a huge 17-2 run, tying the game on a three-pointer from Quentin Harvey, 53-53.

After tying the game at 60 just a few minutes later, the Wildcats were able to take over the lead on a bucket from Harvey, 62-60 with 4:01 to play. After the Vikings regained the lead, two free throws from Wiggs tied the game at 66 and after two empty possessions by both teams, the game went to overtime.

The lead changed four times in the overtime period, but with Baker leading 72-71 on a bucket from Jalen Patterson, Harvey grabbed a bit-time offensive rebound and finished the layup to give Baker a 74-71 lead. Following a stop on the defensive end, a free throw from Rigatuso sealed the deal and gave Baker a 75-71 win.

Baker is now 15-5 on the season and 10-4 in Heart of America play. They will be back on the road on Saturday, Jan. 28, when they travel to Springfield, Mo., to take on Evangel at 4 p.m. The Wildcats lost to Evangel earlier this season in Baldwin City, 81-72.

Original source can be found here