FAYETTE, Mo. – The Central Methodist University men's basketball team came away with the victory after battling through a grueling double overtime battle against Benedictine.
Rijnard Hartman (JR/Magaliesburg, South Africa) led all scorers on the night as he poured in a career-high 25 points while also tacking on nine rebounds and four blocks. He finished the contest going 12-for-16 from the floor through 40 minutes of play.
Josh Robinson (SR/Normal, Ill.) commanded the game from the point, playing 49 of the 50 total minutes. Robinson tallied 21 points and added seven assists.
The win moves Central to 5-11 on the season (4-6 Heart) while the Ravens fall to 8-8 overall (6-4 Heart).
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Central opened the game with a 6-0 run before Benedictine could find the basket
- A three-pointer from Kyle McDermed (JR/Frankfort, Ill.) pushed CMU ahead by 12 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half, giving them their largest lead of the night
- Benedictine trailed by five at the half, but a 9-0 run in the second quarter cut the margin to just one point. They captured the lead for the first time with seven minutes remaining in regulation
- Teams battled back-and-forth through the remainder of the second half, but a buzzer-beater from BC forced the extra time
- Teams traded baskets in the first overtime as turnovers and missed shots kept both sides from building momentum
- Five points from Isaiah Burton (SO/Kansas City, Mo.) in the final minute of added time gave CMU the cushion it needed to close the game in double overtime
- CMU shot an impressive 50% from the field while holding the Ravens to 42% and allowing just four shots from long-range (18%)
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMERS:
- James Byrd II (SR/Kansas City, Mo.) – 16 points, 7 rebounds
- Kyle McDermed – 10 points
- Isaiah Burton – 8 rebounds, 7 assists
- Jake Branham (FR/Springfield, Mo.) – Perfect shooting on the night (2-2 from the floor, 1-1 beyond the arc, 2-2 from the free-throw line)
UP NEXT:
Central is set to host current Heart leader, No. 5 William Penn, on January 15th. Game time is set for 7:30 PM in Puckett Field House.
