Tabor College Wins 2014 KCAC Men's Basketball Championship - Mar 7, 2014

In a game that featured 15 lead changes and nine ties, Tabor College outlasted Sterling College 97-90 to win the 2014 KCAC Men's Basketball Championship on Monday at Hartman Arena.

The tournament #2 seed Sterling College (24-8, 14-4), playing in the KCAC Championship Monday for the third time in four years, was 2-0 in regular season matchups with the tournament #5 seed Tabor (20-12, 10-8), winning 94-93 in overtime on December 14 in Hillsboro, and winning 81-74 on February 14 in Sterling. This matchup would prove to be another contested shootout.

The game was tied at 11-11 with 15:08 remaining in the first half. With 7:51 remaining, Sterling led 30-27. At the conclusion of the first half, Sterling held a 46-39 advantage. There were three lead changes and twice the game was tied in the first 20 minutes.

In the first half, Sterling shot 10 of 22 for 45.5% on field goals, 5 of 10 for 50% three pointers, and was 11 of 12 for 91.7% from the free throw line. Tabor was 8 of 21 for 38.1% in field goals, 3 of 10 for 30% three pointers, and was 14/19 for 73.7% in free throws. The largest lead was held by Sterling who led by 11 points at the 1:49 mark.

Sterling added to its halftime advantage and led 60-53 with 14:45 remaining before pushing out to the largest lead in the second half when the Warriors held a nine point advantage at the 14:24 mark.

Tabor used a 12-6 run to close the gap and get to 68-65 with 8:19 left and would get their first lead of the second half at the 7:11 mark after hitting a corner three pointer, pulling ahead 70-69. The teams traded one point leads before the game was once again tied up at 75 all with 3:59 left in regulation. A Braden Thompson (6'5''-F) layup pushed the Sterling lead to three before Nick Sauer (6'6''-F) tied it up at 85-85 with a three point make with 7.7 seconds remaining. A buzzer shot was no good and the teams headed to overtime.

In overtime, Tabor scored on three of its first five possessions to gain a 90-85 lead while Sterling came up empty on each of its first five trips. A pair of Sterling free throws with 57.4 seconds got the Warriors on the board before a flagrant foul was called on Sterling with 27.5 seconds. Five free throws converted by Tabor in the final half minute and a tip in for Sterling with 4.4 seconds finalized the score at 97-90 in favor of Tabor.

Tabor outscored Sterling 12-5 in the overtime period.

The second half and overtime featured 12 lead changes and seven ties.

For the game, Sterling shot 19 of 41 for 46% on two point field goals, 11 of 29 for 38% on three point field goals, and was 19 of 27 for 70% from the free throw line. Tabor shot 20 of 39 for 51% on two point field goals, 8 of 24 for 33% on three point field goals, and 33 of 43 from the free throw line.

Leading Sterling was Braden Thompson (6'5''-F) who had a team high 25 points on 7 of 10 shooting, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Darius Alexander (5'11''-PG) had 23 points on 7 of 10 shooting, six rebounds, and three assists. Eddie Adesodun (5'11''-PG) had 13 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Leading Tabor was Lance Carter (6'4''-G/F) with a game high 42 points on 8 of 12 two point field goals, 4 of 6 three pointers, and 14 of 16 free throws. Carter also had a game high 17 rebounds, and four assists. Dewayne Biggs (6'0''-PG) scored 16 points, with six rebounds, a game high eight assists, and one steal. Andrew Thomas (6'7''-F) added 15 points, four rebounds, and one assist.

Tabor advances to the NAIA National Tournament with the victory.

Courtesy of KCAC

KCAC Tournament Final: Tabor - Sterling 97-90
KCAC Tournament Semifinals:
Tabor - Friends 90-81
Sterling - Bethany 89-77

All-KCAC 1st Team 2014

Mitchell

Ibn Idris

Greenberg

Clark

Rose