GRAYSON, KY - After falling in their first two tries in Kentucky, PBU finally came out with a win.
In the battle for seventh place in the NCCAA II National Tournament, the Crimson Eagles secured a 55-49 victory over North Central University Saturday afternoon. The triumph allows the squad to end their season on a positive note - and not on the three game losing streak they were in jeopardy of entering the game.
Instead, PBU walks away with a respectable six point win and a 1-2 record in their pocket to take home after a positive learning experience for the young squad in Kentucky.
In fact, Saturday's victory somewhat typified PBU's season as a whole this year; with their backs against the wall and in a 13 point hole, the Crimson Eagles went on a torrid run and held off a pesky Rams squad down the stretch.
Down 24-11 with four minutes remaining in the opening period, head Coach Drew Watson had had enough, calling a timeout to try and ignite his somewhat lackluster squad. It worked.
PBU went on a 12-0 run to close out the opening period and scored the first six points of the second stanza to go up 29-24 with 17 minutes left to play. The 18 point turnaround spanned two halves but happened in a combined total of just seven minutes. And although the contest was far from over at that point, the Crimson Eagles managed to hold on down the stretch...barely.
Up one with about a minute remaining, freshman Dani Hooper hit a monster three to give PBU a four point edge in the final minute. Forced to foul, North Central put the Crimson Eagles on the line with which PBU promptly responded by icing the game with several key makes from the charity stripe in the final 60 ticks.
The win, although by no means the national championship the Crimson Eagles were originally shooting for to enter the tournament, gives Coach Watson's group a solid victory to close out the season.
Individually, sophomore guard Dani Norton was named to the NCCAA II All American First Team after leading PBU in points per game (16.8) and three pointers made (84) for the season.
