Defending Champs Sneak By Monroe in OT, Keep Title Defense Alive
In the third overtime game in the first the days of the tournament, Monroe overcame a 16.point second half deficit midway the period to tie it at 67.
But defending Champion Trinity Valley, put up 11 to Monroe’s 8 in the bonus five minutes to win 78-75.
The victory sends the Cardinals (29-5) into the Quarterfinals on Wednesday at 5:30. They will get the winner of the Chipola College/Northern Oklahoma-Enid winner who play tomorrow tomorrow (Tuesday).
Trinity Valley was led by MJ Wardlow and Zati Loubaki, who each poured in 16. Mani Henderson had 15, Braylon Wenger went for 12 with Najee Graham put in ten.
TVCC won the battle of the boards 48- 34. He Denson and Moussa Konare led the way grabbing 10 each.
Nacier Kirksey powered Monroe with a game high 19. Faquir Mosely and Nico Peña dropped in 10.
Trinity Valley held an eleven point advantage at the break, 36-25. But in a valiant effort to keep the Mustangs season Alice, they won the 2nd half 42-31.
The Mustangs shot 31% for the game to Valleys 48, but outscored the Cards 48-18 from distance to keep them in the game.
