MARSHALL– To say that this game was an instant classic would be one of the biggest understatements ever made.

The Southwest Minnesota State University Mustangs Mens basketball team lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer in a 3OT loss, 86-85 on Tuesday evening. This concludes the season of the Mustangs.

Majok Majouk got the party started for the Mustangs by hitting an opening three to start the scoring for the Mustangs

However, it would be the Beavers that broke out and would take the lead at halftime, 28-22. The Beavers’ ability to knock down shots and contest the shots of the Mustangs was key in their first-half lead

In the opening of the second half, the Mustangs went on a 13-6 run to open the half, fueled by Dunwa Omot, who scored a career-high 30 points in the contest. Timeout was called by the Beavers as the Mustangs had regained the lead.

Little did we know we were watching an instant classic.

The teams traded baskets for most of the second half, with the Beavers having a 2-point lead, 50-48.

Ben Bohl for the Beavers would hit a three to go up five. It was one of several tough shots that the Beavers would hit in the ballgame. Bohl finished the game with 18 points and hit four threes in the contest.

After trading baskets and a stop gained by the Mustangs, Anthony Costello would hit a three, to cut the deficit to two, 58-56. The Mustangs would get into a press defense and force a turnover with Omot getting the steal and layup to tie the game up at 58 with one minute remaining.

Both teams would miss the opportunity to win the game in regulation on their next possession. Then the Beaves’ Khari Broadway pulled up from the elbow to win the game but it went long and the game went into overtime

In the Overtime period, the Beavers went up by five and in the first few minutes of the period, the Mustangs couldn’t buy a bucket, Majouk, and Cliff McCray scored the only points. The Mustangs were down 66-62 heading into the final minute.

Omot would drive the ball and convert a three-point play and cut the lead to one. Then a turnover was forced by the Mustangs and they got the ball back. Cliff McCray drove the lane and was fouled.

McCray sank the first free throw but missed the second to take the lead and the Beavers would have a chance to win it with Broadway heaving it from the half court but it missed, thus double overtime.

At the opening of the second overtime, Omot started to assert himself. He came out and hit a midrange jumper to give SMSU the lead. On the ensuing possession, Omot drove right and put the ball off the glass for a bucket putting the Mustangs up four. SMSU looked to be in control of the game.

The Beavers wouldn’t give in to that thought.

After the Beavers responded by taking the lead late hitting tough shots by Bohl and Cam’ron Dunfee, the Mustangs called their last timeout of the second overtime.

The play broke down and Majouk shot a three that was off the mark but a foul was called on the Beavers. Both teams were in the double bonus at this point and Jakob Braaten stepped up to the line to shoot two. He would make both, tying the game at 75 After a miss by the Beavers, Jake Phipps grabbed the rebound and heaved it but it was off. It would be the final rebound for Phipps as he fouled out early in the third overtime.

In the third overtime, both teams were making baskets fighting on fumes because of the exhaustion on both sides. Omot continues to pace the Mustangs, as Dunfee started to get going for the Beavers. The Mustangs had a 1-pt. lead 85-84 with 36 seconds left in the game.

Omot would drive the ball in the lane but was blocked and the ball ended up in Costello’s hand for a forced shot and it was off target. This gave the Beavers a chance to win or go home. The Beavers gave it to Dunfee and with Majouk contesting on the shot, Dunfee swished it as the buzzer sounded. The game was over. The Mustangs lost.

“I have to give Minot State a lot of credit,” Mustangs Mens basketball coach Brad Bigler said. “They came out through some adversity, some travel and they made the plays to win the game. I think the rollercoaster of today’s game is similar to the rollercoaster of our season. The ability for us to respond from a deficit is good but our mistakes were costly. We have a lot to learn from this season as coaches and players. We always talk about earning your tears. What that means is paying your dues, and doing more of what’s asked of you in your tenure here. There were a lot of tears in that locker room today and I appreciate how the guys fought for each other.

We celebrate the seniors Anthony Costello, Sam Schwartz, and Alex Hillesheim for a wonderful final season as Mustangs.