EDMOND, Okla. - Two late three-pointers from
Keyondre Young looked like it was going to push Oklahoma Christian over the top, but Texas Permian Basin nailed a triple with 0.4 seconds remaining as the Eagles fell in heartbreaking fashion Thursday night, 80-77.
The aforementioned Young finished the night with six three-pointers, serving as his fourth game with at least five treys this season, leading to his team-high 23 points.
Javon Grant recorded a season-high seven assists to go with his nine points and
Bryce Kennedy came within one point of a double-double with his 10-rebound, nine-point performance.
Both squads were largely even across the board, with UTPB making five more field-goals while OC made two more threes. The Eagles also had the advantage at the free-throw line, knocking down 15 freebies compared to for the Falcons. Both teams left points at the charity stripe, however, with OC shooting 15-of-22 (68.2%) and Permian shooting 10-of-18 (55.6%).
Oklahoma Christian led for 1:35 of the opening six and a half minutes with game seeing three times during that time. With the Eagles holding a slight lead at 10-8, UTPB mounted a 10-0 run and led until deep in the first half.
Foreshadowing things to come, Young hit a three-pointer late in the first half to give OC the quick lead before the Falcons closed the opening frame on an 8-0 run to head to the locker room ahead, 41-36.
Permian Basin grew that lead to double-digits and maintained it for much of the second period before OC began to shoot its way back into contention. Trailing by 13 with with just over nine minutes remaining, the Eagles hit four triples over the next five minutes, three of which came from Young, to eventually tie the game at 71-71.
Four points from the Falcons were met with back-to-back triples from hot-handed Young to put OC ahead by two with 1:52 on the clock. The Eagles were unable to add to their lead the rest of the way, however, as Permian Basin took advantage of Oklahoma Christian's late struggles, culminating in a buzzer-beater from the visitors.
Oklahoma Christian will remain home when Angelo State comes to the Payne Athletic Center Saturday, Dec. 14 at 3 p.m. in OC's penultimate game of 2024. Â
