SALINA, Kan. — In a thrilling matchup, the No. 9 ranked Southwestern College Moundbuilders fell short in overtime against Kansas Wesleyan, 96-93.

Kansas Wesleyan controlled the first 10 minutes of the first half, building their largest lead of the first half, a seven-point lead, 6-13 in the first five minutes of the game.
With 10 minutes left, Trey White connected on a three pointer, that brought SC within one, 17-18. On the next possession, Wyatt Bell hit a three, and Southwestern had the first half lead, 20-18.

In the first half, Southwestern built as much as a 12-point lead, and took a nine point lead into the half, 45-36.

The Moundbuilders led the second half for 19 minutes and :48 seconds. After an Easton Hunter missed three pointer to take the lead, Wesleyan's Thurbil Bile grabbed the rebound on the baseline and put up a frantic 10-foot jumper that splashed in with 12 seconds remaining to tie the game.

Cevin Clark missed a desperation three pointer at the end of regulation that forced overtime, 81-81.  

The overtime saw three lead changes, with the largest lead being three points by Wesleyan.

After Wesleyan took an early three-point lead, 82-85, Jarvis Jennings hit an overtime tying three, 85-85, with three minutes remaining.

Two Clark free throws would give the Builders a lead, 87-85, two minutes left. But the Coyotes Jun Murdock answered back with a jumper on the next possession to tie it up again, 87-87.

Clark would then answer again with a jumper, but two Murdock free throws tied it back up. 89-89 with 1:30 remaining in overtime.

And Murdock again would answer with another jumper, one minute remaining in overtime, 89-91. Wesley never lost the lead again. After a few empty offensive possessions by the Builders, Kansas Wesleyan would hold on to a 93-96 win.

Wesleyan's Murdock spearheaded the Coyotes offense with 35 points and Alex Littlejohn's 31 points and 14 rebounds was another key contributor for Wesleyan.

Clark led the charge for Southwestern, delivering an impressive 38-point performance, and is still the nation's number one scorer at 27 points per game.  

Mason Thiessen finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Jennings and Justin DeMaria both had 11 points each.

Andrew O'Brien finished with 4 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists.

The Builders are back home for senior night, Wednesday, Feb. 21^st against McPherson at 7pm.