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Huskies survive
Classic double overtime victory leaves Halenbeck fans awestruck; Huskies head to top-seeded South Dakota State on Friday
 Media Credit: Michael Martin/Managing Editor SCSU�s Forrest Witt looks to pass while being guarded by USD�s J.D. Roberts underneath his own basket during the second half Tuesday night.
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 Media Credit: Michael Martin/Managing Editor SCSU�s Rado Rancik goes up for a shot during the Huskies� double-overtime victory over USD.
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They didn't want anybody to leave.
Nor did anyone want to leave this postseason classic that lasted for what seemed like an eternity. In a game that will certainly go down in SCSU basketball lore as one of the best ever, the Huskies outlasted the never-say-die South Dakota Coyotes 95-90 in double overtime.
All the drama started to unfold at the end of regulation. After two B.J. Brant free throws gave the Huskies a 67-64 lead, rail-thin Luke Tibbetts nailed a trey with 3.4 seconds left to tie it at 67. A half-court shot by the Huskies' Forrest Witt hit the the edge of the rim but missed, and the game was sent into the first extra session.
The first overtime began with a Jason Kron drive and finish, but the Coyotes began to take control on the strength of a trey, and two baskets from senior Paul Marshall. With USD leading 77-74, consecutive buckets by Kron and Brant gave SCSU control, 78-77.
Witt made two free throws with six seconds left to give the Huskies a three-point advantage. Then Coyote point guard Josh Mueller began to scramble upcourt. Mueller spotted a wide-open Jimmie Foster in the left corner. The senior forward spotted up and hit the tying three just as the horn sounded to send it into overtime number two.
As the crowd's jaws dropped once more, there was an eerie sense that the Huskies were going to be doomed by fate. But in the second overtime, they began to take a firm grasp on the game.
SCSU took two five-point leads on the strength of a Rado Rancik three and two Kron baskets. This time, the hero trying to bring back his troops for USD was Mueller. He drove hard to the bucket for two points, spotted a wide open J.D. Roberts for another deuce, and hit one from downtown that brought the Coyotes to within one with 18 seconds remaining at 91-90.
However, SCSU finally started to hit their free throws and iced the game with four big ones by Brant and Rancik. Everyone was at a loss for words after this one was over.
"We never felt comfortable out there," SCSU head coach Kevin Schlagel said. "They're the best three-point shooting team in the NCC, and they hit some great shots. We had a chance to win it in regulation, but our missed free throws killed us. You couldn't tell we were the best free throw shooting team in the nation tonight."
"This was an emotional roller coaster and I'm definitely drained," senior captain Brant said. "This was definitely one of the greatest games I've been a part of. I couldn't believe how many big shots they made. Initially you're devastated, but you have to come back and believe."
Brant posted a season high 31 points on the night to lead SCSU. He also grabbed 10 boards, and hit 12 clutch free throws. He really seemed like the only Husky not affected by nerves in the game. Witt added 19 and led the team with 12 rebounds. Rancik and Kron chipped in 15 and 13, respectively. Sophomore Alex Carlson was Stockton-esque with 12 assists.
SCSU missed seven free throws on the night. But every miss occurred at a critical juncture either at the end of regulation or in the overtimes.
"The tough thing is focusing at the line," Brant said. "We were tense up there and that didn't help. South Dakota took advantage of every miss.
"They could have tucked their tails in and said the season's over. But they made huge plays and fought hard."
The tandem of Mueller and Marshall led the Coyotes with 22 points apiece. Foster added 18 in his final game as a Coyote. USD played a horrible first half by only shooting 28 percent from the field. But they recovered and shot 51 percent in the second, and 47 percent in overtime. They finished at 43 percent for the game.
The loss was a hard one to take for the freshman Mueller.
"The worst feeling in the world is not getting this done," he said. "I'm at an unbelievable low right now after an unbelievable game.
"We didn't come out with any poise or aggression early on. But we got our stuff together and played together as a team. It's tough playing with just seniors and freshmen on the same team. But we showed we could do that this year."
The Huskies main advantage came on the glass as they outrebounded USD, 50-36. Superior height and strength helped in that edge. SCSU shot a torrid 67 percent in overtime, and finished at 48 percent for the game. Now, the Huskies will travel to Brookings to take on top-seeded South Dakota State on Saturday in the continuing Wells Fargo tournament.
SCSU has lost twice to the Jackrabbits already this season. But the way they stood up to the task of holding off South Dakota, they just might open some eyes again.
Andy Rennecke can be reached at: [email protected]
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