Onwuasor helps lead S. Utah to first win at Big Sky tourney (Mar 07, 2017)

By AP
Published

RENO, Nev. (AP) Randy Onwuasor scored a career-best and tournament record 43 points and Southern Utah won its first-ever game in the Big Sky tourney, outlasting Montana State 109-105 in triple overtime.

Montana State led 42-29 at halftime only to have Onwuasor lead the Thunderbirds' comeback. Eleventh-seeded Southern Utah (6-26) faces No. 2 seed Weber State (17-12), the defending tournament champion, in the quarterfinals on Thursday night.

''What a heavyweight fight that was,'' Southern Utah's first-year coach Todd Simon.

Onwuasor, who played 53 minutes and scored 18 of his points in the extra periods, made four straight free throws in the final 22 seconds.

John Marshall scored 14 for Southern Utah, Will Joyce and James McGee 16 each. Joyce corralled 15 rebounds, including nine off the defensive glass, which helped hold Montana State to 39 percent shooting. Onwuasor took over the offense late in the second half, driving hard for the basket and often drawing the foul. He went to the free throw line 25 times and made 20.

The teams set tournament records for 3-pointers made (30) and attempted (79).

Tyler Hall led the Bobcats with 33 points and seven 3-pointers, Devonte Klines added 25 and was among four Bobcats to foul out.

Montana State has not won a tournament game since 2009.

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