Late Heroics Can't Rescue Mustangs Against Scots

Erik Holth, CBC Sports Information Director

            Batesville, Ark. – Stepping on the court for the first time in 2023, Central Baptist College men's basketball was inside Becknell Gymnasium tonight for an American Midwest Conference contest against Lyon College. The Mustangs (11-5, 4-2 AMC) trailed by nine at the half and took a second half lead, but couldn't hold on, falling 70-69 to Lyon (4-7, 1-4 AMC).

            Braylon Steen, Brevin Brimble and Gabe Johnson were the three Mustangs that finished in double figures scoring for CBC. The Mustangs were held to 40 percent shooting from the field and got doubled up on trips to the free throw line (18-9).

GAME FLOW

            The Mustangs hit back-to-back threes on two of their first three possessions and led 6-2 less than three minutes in. Lyon would take the lead later on, but CBC fought back to tie the score six times in the first half before heading to the locker room down 46-37 at the half.

            CBC opened the second half strong, keeping the lead at single digits for the first 10:04 of the second half until Lyon led 60-48 with 9:30 left to play. Over the next 5:54, CBC would go on a 16-4 run to tie the score at 64 with 3:37 left to play. A layup from Steen gave CBC a 66-64 lead with 3:11 left before a mini 4-0 run by the Scots gave them a 68-66 lead with 46 seconds left. A three by Johnson with 34 seconds left returned the lead to CBC 69-68 until Lyon hit a jumper with 14 seconds left to lead 70-69 and giving the Mustangs one final opportunity to try to win. Jalen Adams would miss a floater at the buzzer as the Mustangs saw their six-game winning streak halted.

GAME NOTES

• Steen, the reigning AMC player of the week, had 19 points and set season highs in both made field goals (eight) and made threes (two)
• Johnson added 12 points
• Brimble had 10
• CBC trails the all-time series against the Scots 18-14 and dropped to 4-11 in games at Becknell Gym

UP NEXT

            The Mustangs will be at home for the first time in 2023 on Saturday afternoon when they welcome the Eagles of Williams Baptist to Reddin Fieldhouse for an AMC tilt. Tipoff is at 3 p.m.