Springfield, MO - College of the Ozarks needed one play in the final seconds and got it from Andrew Dalton. The junior guard converted a game-tying 3-pointer and added the go-ahead free throw with 11 seconds remaining, lifting the Bobcats to a 78-77 comeback win over Mission (Mo.) in the NCCAA Central Regional final, Wednesday night at W. E. Dowell Fieldhouse.

Dalton’s decisive four-point sequence answered what appeared to be the game-winning push from Mission. Trailing late, Mission had grabbed a 77-74 lead when Jamarian Cato calmly knocked down two free throws with 32 seconds to play. College of the Ozarks advanced the ball and found Dalton on the perimeter, where he drilled a 3-pointer to pull the teams even at 77-77, then stepped to the line and sank the ensuing free throw to give the Bobcats a 78-77 edge that held through the final buzzer.

Dalton finished with a game-high 27 points on 9-of-16 shooting, including 5-of-9 from 3-point range and 4-of-5 at the foul line. He set the tone early, answering Mission’s opening layup from Najee Williams with a 3-pointer on the next possession to give College of the Ozarks a 3-2 lead less than a minute into the first quarter. The Bobcats built on that start behind efficient perimeter shooting, pushing the margin to double digits before halftime.

College of the Ozarks controlled much of the first half and took a 43-33 advantage into the break, capped by a late 3-pointer from Reece Johnson with just over a minute left in the half. The Bobcats shot 43.8% from the field (28 of 64) and 29.6% from beyond the arc (8 of 27) for the game, while converting 77.8% of their free throws (14 of 18). Despite being outrebounded 41-35, the team matched Mission in hustle categories with five steals and stayed close on the glass with 13 offensive rebounds.

Mission steadily chipped away after halftime behind balanced scoring and timely outside shooting. Jordyn Turner provided a major spark, scoring 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, while adding seven rebounds and two steals. Williams added 15 points and six rebounds, and Clifford Barrow matched him with 15 points, hitting 4-of-8 from long distance and blocking three shots. Mission finished at 46.3% from the field (31 of 67) and 26.9% from deep (7 of 26), while posting a 15-13 edge in offensive rebounds and a 41-35 advantage overall on the glass.

Even as Mission surged in the second half, the Bobcats’ defense produced key stops to keep the game within one possession down the stretch. College of the Ozarks limited Mission to 8-of-11 shooting at the foul line and forced 11 turnovers, nearly mirroring its own total of 10 giveaways. Offensively, the Bobcats leaned on Dalton and fellow scorer Garrett Snyder, who added 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting and went 5-of-6 at the stripe while contributing two assists. The pair combined for 44 of the team’s 78 points, repeatedly answering Mission’s runs with drives to the basket and trips to the free-throw line.

Mission’s final possession after Dalton’s go-ahead free throw came up empty, sealing a one-point win that highlighted late-game composure for College of the Ozarks in a tight, championship setting. With Dalton’s closing heroics and balanced contributions across the lineup, the Bobcats turned a late three-point deficit into a momentum-building victory as postseason play continues next week at C of O for the NCCAA Division 1 National Championships.