Purdue Fort Wayne
Western Illinois
IPFW Tops Western Illinois in 5 OTs
11/22/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 22, 2006
Macomb, IL - The mantra from IPFW head basketball coach Dane Fife all season long has been, "We've got to learn how to win the close ballgame." Tonight in Macomb, Illinois, the 'Dons learned that lesson as sophomore guard Jakari Johnson's layin with 2.3 seconds left in overtime number-five gave the Mastodons a 97-95 win over Western Illinois.
In an unbelievable 'gut-check' type of game, it was Johnson coming off the bench and hitting a baseline buzzer-beater to send the game to its first overtime. This after IPFW led by seven at half-time and by as many as eight in the second half.
In the first overtime, WIU jumped out to a three point lead on a jumper by junior guard David Jackson.
IPFW countered with the senior tandem of Tyler Best and Justin Hawkins. Best got two quick buckets inside and Hawkins drilled a triple and got a layin, inside to give IPFW a 67-63 lead with 1:22 left.
The Leathernecks knocked down four straight from the charity stripe to send the game to OT number two.
In the second overtime, it was sophomore guard Kyle Savely slashing to the hoop with :45 remaining to tie it at 74-all. IPFW had a chance to win it at the buzzer, but Johnson's jumper bounced off the rim.
In overtime number-three, Western jumped out to a five point lead on a layup by Jackson.
The Mastodons (2-3) would not fold as Savely drove and scored setting up a chance for Johnson to tie the game again. And, with :21 left Johnson stepped to the line and knocked down a pair of free-throws to send the game to a fourth overtime tied at 81.
It looked like the Leathernecks (2-2) were going to run away and hide. WIU converted on two straight IPFW turnovers to take a four-point lead, deflating an exhausted 'Dons team.
But, Hawkins drained a three to pull IPFW to within one at 85-84.
Johnson, with the 'Dons down two, made 2-4 from the line down the stretch to tie the game at 86, and we went to a fifth overtime.
Best gave IPFW a three-point lead (89-86) early in overtime-five, but fouled out with :50 left and the 'Dons trailing by two (95-93).
That gave IPFW a lineup of Savely, Hawkins, Johnson, junior forward Zeljko Egeric, and freshman Terry Jenkins on the floor for the final seconds of the game. IPFW had lost the services of senior guard Quintin Carouthers (injury) early in the second half and starting forward DeWitt Scott (fouls).
Jenkins played solid defense throughout the overtime sessions, and Egeric contributed instantly. "Z" got a feed from Johnson inside and kissed the ball softly off glass to tie it at 95-all.
But Egeric wasn't done. He picked Jackson clean with :04 on the clock, got the ball ahead to Johnson, and Johnson finished off the break. WIU knocked the ball back up the cylinder, but the basket counted.
Western Illinois couldn't get a shot off as time expired, and IPFW won the longest game in school history by two.
So many 'Dons came up huge in the win. Best posted a double-double with 19 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. He played 56 minutes.
Hawkins eclipsed his previous career high (14) with 19 points, including four triples. He logged 58 minutes of action.
Savely registered his first career double-double with 16 points and a career-high 10 rebounds.
Carouthers (14), Scott (11), and Johnson (11) rounded out the six Mastodons in double figures.
Jackson led all scorers, including four 'Necks in double figures, with a game-high 32 points and 12 rebounds.
The win gives IPFW a boost going into the Thanksgiving break and a Saturday (11/25) date with another future Mid-Con foe IUPUI.
Tip-off against the Jaguars is 7pm.
Note: Five overtimes marks the most in IPFW school history. The NCAA record for overtime sessions is seven periods (Cincinnati 75 Bradley 73----Dec. 21, 1981).
~Dons~
