College of Eastern Utah advances to NJCAA tourney following OT win

TAYLORSVILLE — It took overtime before the College of Eastern Utah defeated Mesa Community College 65-64 Tuesday night at Salt Lake Community College for a berth into the NJCAA Tournament in Hutchinson, Kan.

No one could take control of this game as it went back and forth right up to the final buzzer in regulation when Mesa's Stephen Rogers hit a twisting three point shot to send the game to overtime at 57 all.

The overtime was no different as CEU jumped up by four points but Mesa came back to take the lead at the 1:42 mark again on a three point play by Rogers- who did it this time at the free throw line.

But CEU's Michael Glover came back with a vengeance and threw one down with authority to give the lead back to the Golden Eagles. Glover, who was named the Scenic West Conference's player of the year, led CEU with 20 points and 10 rebounds for the night.

"All the hard work paid off," said Glover.

Coach Chris Craig was mobbed by congratulators after the game but he managed to say: "We found a way to win and we weren't playing good."

He was referring to free throws problems for the Golden Eagles, who only hit 16 of 26 on the evening.

Regarding the shot in regulation by Rogers that tied the game, Craig said, "We were scared to play zone because of the way they were hitting the outside shot, so we switched to man to man and when they screened we were late getting out on him."

He gave credit to the Mesa defense.

"They played outstanding," Craig said, "We knew it was going to be a low scoring game."

Rogers led all scorers with 27 points for Mesa.

Tony Dalton hit two three point shots on his way to 10 points. Each of his tree pointers gave CEU the lead, once in the first half and once in the second half.

Jonathan Mills posted 14 points for CEU on 6-7 from the field and most of his baskets were in traffic.

Shooting percentage were close on both sides as CEU shot 47.8% and Mesa 48.2%. But the Golden Eagles won the battle of the boards 34-26.

The game was tied at 28 apiece at the half.

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