BATTLE CREEK, MI – The Bay College Men's Basketball Team (1-1) would need overtime to earn their first victory over the homestanding Kellogg Community College Bruins (0-1) on Saturday afternoon, winning by a final of 95-87.
Bay College would start the game on fire, scoring nine points in the first 90 seconds, but the host Bruins seemed unfazed, quickly closing the gap and taking the lead. It would be tight contest throughout from that point on. The Norse would hit on seven of 18 three-pointers in the first half, which would include a buzzer-beating, high, arcing shot from the left corner that would fall from Khalid Fleming (FR, Detroit, MI). The shot would give Bay a 38-32 lead at intermission.
Bay found themselves in a hole in the second half. Kellogg took advantage of 18 offensive rebounds in that period to regain the lead. The Bruins would take it a step further, attacking the rim and putting the Norse in foul trouble. The host team shot 22 times from the free throw line, converting 13 times. It looked as though the momentum was in the favor of the Bruins, but Bay would turn the tide. Matt Wagner (FR, Marinette, WI) hit several big three-pointers down the stretch, getting the Norse back in the game. In fact, the Norse would end up with a chance to end the game in regulation. Tied at 77, Bay would have possession with 16 seconds left on the clock. Ryan Robinette (SO, Escanaba, MI) got a clean look off the dribble, a jumper from about 17 feet. Though it was a shot he had hit before in the game, this one would hit hard off the back of the rim, and it would force overtime.
Overtime would go in favor of the visitors from the beginning. After a missed layup of a nicely designed play off the tip for the Bruins, Bay would hit on their first few possessions as Robinette would get hot when it mattered most. The Norse would hit on five of seven attempts from the field in overtime, one of one from three-point, and seven of nine from the free throw line. Kellogg made just four of their 12 attempts in overtime, and would not be able to overcome a nine-point overtime deficit.
"I was happy with the way that we started the game," said Head Coach Matt Johnson. "It was our goal to come out and land the first punch. I think it was important for the psyche of our group to jump on them early after the tough loss the night before. We definitely still have a long ways to go, and an awful lot to improve on, but we had guys step up, hit shots, and make plays down the stretch period. Overall I am happy with the effort and glad that we could do enough to grit one out to get the split this weekend."
Robinette led all scorers with 28 points on five of ten from three-point, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Wagner ended his night hitting seven threes in 11 attempts, grabbing seven rebounds, and scoring 23 points. Chris Dobessi (FR, Detroit, MI) added 12 points, while Christian Alexander (SO, Dorset, UK) scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds.
Tahveaur Boykins (FR, Walled Lake, MI) would lead the way for Kellogg, scoring 20 points and grabbing five rebounds. Larry Patrick (FR, Flint, MI) tallied a double-double, ending with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Jamari Thomas-Newell (SO, Flint, MI) ended with 13 points and eight rebounds, while Ron Jamierson (SO, Battle Creek, MI) scored ten points.
The Norse are on the road next weekend at Rochester Community College on Friday, November 8. That game tips at 8:30 pm. They then take on Western Tech on Saturday, with that game scheduled for a 4 pm start.