In business, comparison shoppers who get caught are banned from entering competitive stores. In sports, comparison shoppers often suffer the consequences of a loss to a fellow competitor. Comparing results against like opponents isn't a good practice and KSU Tusc found that out on Friday night when they outlasted Villa Maria College (7-8) by an 80-77 count.
The Eagles narrowly avoided a blemish on their now 10-4 record by surviving a late three-ball and a missed shot at the buzzer that could have sent the game into an extra session. They were nearly upstaged by the Vikings in the last :24.2 seconds of the game.
Kameron Shockley staked the navy and gold to a 78-72 lead by banking in a backside rebound. But twice in the final :18.9 seconds of the game, KSU Tusc failed to put the game out of reach missing the front of two one-and-one foul shot situations while leading 78-74. They nearly paid for the misfires after a Viking three-ball found its mark with only :04.8 ticks remaining that cut the lead to 78-77.
Forced to foul with :03.7 left, Villa Maria sent Kameron Shockley to the free throw line. The Eagles called timeout to discuss miss-or-make strategies and after the brief respite Shockley calmly toed the line and sank both ends for an 80-77 advantage.
A desperation shot from the left corner by the Vikings hit the back iron as time expired as the Eagles narrowly avoided a blemish on their now 10-4 record.
Shockley made them pay all night long as he lit up the scoreboard for 31 points and 14 rebounds, nearly overshadowing Kyle Shockley's 1000th career point milestone near the end of the first half. Kyle was the only other Golden Eagle in double figures as he scored 16 points.
Villa Maria took an early 7-0 lead and it took the Eagles until the 5:34 mark of the opening 20 minutes to overtake them 24-22 on a Kyle Shockley jumper. A 17-11 run to close the half put the Eagles ahead 41-33 at the break.
Early in the final half KSU Tusc stretched their lead to double figures (47-37) and with 9:12 left in the game they pulled the plug on the Vikings offense for three and one-half minutes as they vaulted to a 70-56 lead.
The Eagles however went comatose for a two and one-half minute span and were outscored 8-0 by Villa Maria as the lead shrunk to 70-64. A Roper back door cut and feed from Kyle Shockley was like smelling salts for the Eagles who took a 72-64 lead with 3:40 left to play.
Another Roper bucket with 2:33 left and a Kameron Shockley rebound put back of his own miss at the rim kept KSU afloat 76-71 with 1:48 left, before the Vikings tried to surrender the game.
The visitors missed a front end of a bonus situation with 1:35 left and converted just one of two chances with :54.3 to play while trailing 76-72. Their misses set the table for the Eagles who couldn't capitalize at the free throw line which made for a wild finish.
On Saturday at 1pm, the Golden Eagles host Cincinnati Clermont (10-3) winners of seven straight.
Kyle Shockley scored his 1000th career point and ended the night with 16 points against the Vikings.
The 1000 point celebration is on by Kyle Shockley's family.
(Photos by Patty Tolloti)