Auburn, ME – Two games, two days. After attempting to travel to New York Thursday night, only to be turned around two hours later for bad weather, and getting up at 5am Friday for a seven-hour trek to Paul Smith College-- with a seven-hour return trip the same day, the Mustangs had every right to be weary hosting the Community College of Rhode Island Knights Saturday in cozy Kirk Hall. Never underestimate the power of commitment and perveance. Mark McDonald hit a 12-foot jump shot with 2.8 ticks in over time to lead the Mustangs to a thrilling over time 99-98 win over the visitors.
With captain Corey David out of the lineup with a sore knee, others had to step up.
The casual fan watching from home couldn't tell the boys were running on fumes. Malik Farley stepped up to play his best game in a CM uniform registering a double double (14pts-11 rebounds), and six total Mustangs hit for double figures to lead the charge. McDonald, taking over for the hurt David, seamlessly took over the point guard duties putting aside his personal game to run the offence. McDonald had 19 pts, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds but more importantly managed the offense. Nic Dierynck contributed 17 points and ripped down 7 rebounds. Unsung hero, AJ Cunningham stepped up and shouldered the inside game hitting for 17 points on a 6-7 shooting performance and also brought down 7 rebounds.
Solid bench contributions from Luke McCusker, Charles Cedre, Tyheim Burgess, Tobias Jense, and Khalid Ibn picked up the starters and one would not have know the difference.
In a tail of two halves, the Mustangs controlled the first half taking a 46-36 lead into halftime. The speech at halftime revolved around keeping the petal to the metal as we knew the Knights were getting their footing and would bring it the second half. That analyst proved to be correct. The Knights out- scored the home team 49-39, hitting key shots to push the game into overtime.
Fatigue now played a major role in the game. As tired as the Mustangs were, and with AJ Cunningham on the bench with five fouls, CM simply wouldn't give up. After getting two off a beautiful Tobias Jense tap to Farley , the Mustangs kept up the pressure. Back and forth the game went and one could visualize whoever had the last possession would win the game. Enter McDonald. Out of bounds under its own basket with 5.2 ticks on the clock, Dieynck found McDonald who hit a clutch jump shot to seal the contest.
The win brings the Mustang to a 14-4 record.
