Point Lookout, MO – The College of the Ozarks Bobcats returned to Keeter Gymnasium Saturday for Senior Day and to face the Indians of Haskell Indian Nations University. The Bobcats were looking for a repeat performance of their 82-67 win in Lawrence, KS on December 5 and their sixth consecutive win.

Prior to the game the Bobcats recognized seniors Tanner Rogers and Tanner Diaz. Tanner Rogers (Webb City, MO) has been a fierce competitor during his time as a Bobcat and has showed perseverance, loyalty, and dedication. His range from the three-point arc and his defensive effort have made him an asset to the Bobcats over the years. Tanner has scored 403 points, grabbed 212 rebounds, dished out 170 assists, and drained 87 threes over his career. Tanner Diaz (Steelville, MO) has been a dedicated teammate on and off the court, and has exemplified loyalty, perseverance, and hard work. Often running the point for the Bobcat offense, Tanner has racked up 108 points, 179 rebounds, and 30 assists throughout his career. These two Bobcats will be missed, and their mark left on the program has been valuable during their careers.

The Indians jumped out to an early 7-0 lead and the Bobcats were struggling to get the offence going. Andrew Dalton broke through for the Cats and Jay Baxter followed with a dunk to cut the deficit. Another Haskell three bumped the score to 10-4 and the Bobcats needed a run. Garrett Snyder connected on a pair of free throws and then picked up a steal on the other end. The trip came up empty and the Indians scored to add to their lead. Dalton scored again, but the Bobcats could not get in a rhythm. The Bobcat defense continued to hold and a Caleb Faulkner three cut the gap to 12-11. Kyle Flavin connected for two at the 10:18 mark and the Bobcats took their first lead. Haskell answered on their next trip and the tug of war was on. A Kyle Flavin three returned the lead to the Cats and he followed with a two to bump the lead to 18-14. An Andrew Dalton basket at the 7:37 mark forced a Haskell timeout. Seth Soden drained a three out of the huddle and the Bobcats held their largest lead 23-15. Haskell responded with a pair of free throws and a two and it was clear the visitors were committed for the long haul. A Haskell three on the next trip cut the lead to 23-22 and the bobcats needed to bounce back. Another two for Haskell returned the lead to the Indians as the Bobcat offensive woes continued. A pair of Jay Baxter free throws broke the silence, but the Indians continued to apply pressure. A Haskell three gave the Indians a 27-25 lead with 3:27 left in the opening half. A Garrett Snyder conventional three-point play returned the lead to the Bobcats and Jay Snyder added a pair of free throws to make it 30-27, with 1:37 to play. A Baxter two with time winding down added to the lead and the Cats took a 32-27 lead to the intermission.

Due to a bench technical on Haskell after the half, the Bobcats opened the second half with a pair of free throws by Garrett Snyder. Snyder drained both and the Bobcat lead was 34-27. A Faulkner bucket was followed by a 5-0 Haskell run and the gap was quickly reduced. The Indians continued to apply pressure and a basket at the 16:43 mark tied the score with a pair of free throws following that returned the lead to the visitors. The Bobcats took a timeout to regroup and try to get their offense on track. A pair of Snyder free throws evened the score, but the Bobcats needed a run. A Jay Baxter steal and jam created some energy, and the Bobcats were looking to build on it. The teams continued to trade baskets and score went back and forth. A basket by Andrew Dalton and a deep three by Seth Soden kept the advantage on the Bobcat side but the Indians quickly responded. With 12:52 remaining, the Bobcat lead was 49-47. The Indians picked up a steal and a layup to tie it again and the battle continued. A Dalton three was followed by an Indian basket and a timeout for the visitors. The next six points would come from the charity stripe as Dalton and Snyder connected for the Bobcats and the Indians drained a pair of their own. A Flavin bucket was followed by a Dalton layup, and the Bobcat lead grew to 60-53, with 9:21 left to play. The Indians responded with a 5-0 run and the game remained tight. A Snyder bucket was countered with a pair of Haskell free throws before a Flavin trey and another Snyder two built the lead to 67-60. Haskell answered with a basket then took a quick timeout to talk over the strategy for the final 5:24. Another five unanswered points for Haskell tied the score before a Dalton two broke the string. The Indians tied it on the next possession and this one was seemingly going down to the wire. A Snyder two kept the lead in the hands of the Bobcats and a Faulkner bucket, with 2:10 left in the game gave the Cats a 73-69 lead. The Indians had possession of the ball with 2:00 showing on the clock and they took a timeout. Each trip was vital for both teams and the Indians took advantage of the huddle and finished their possession with a two. With 1:23 showing on the clock, the Bobcats held a slim 73-71 advantage, but the Indians had the ball. A defensive stop for the Cats induced the fouling strategy for the Indians and the Bobcats were challenged with protecting the ball. A turnover and foul sent the Indians to the free throw line where the free throws tied the score at 73 apiece, with :42 left to play. The tension mounted and the next Bobcat possession came up empty. The Indians pulled down a defensive rebound and called a timeout with :8.5 showing on the clock. A Haskell turnover gave the ball back to the Bobcats but the last second shot fell short, and the game moved to overtime.

After several dry trips for each team, the Indians opened the scoring in the extra frame. Another Indian basket followed before Andrew Dalton connected on a pair of free throws to cut the deficit. A Bobcat stop was followed by another Dalton bucket, then a Haskell two. Trailing by two with 1:43 left to play, Andrew Dalton connected for three and his 7-0 run had the Bobcats on top 80-79. Another Bobcat stop was rewarded with a Haskell foul and Garrett Snyder sank a pair from the line to increase the slim Bobcat advantage. The Bobcats needed stops, and the Indians needed points. The Indians got what they needed, but a Dalton breakaway layup added to the lead. The Indians quickly responded and connected from beyond the arc to tie it. The Bobcats were unable to score as time ran out and another extra period would be needed to determine a winner.  

The Indians opened the scoring in the second overtime, just as they did in the first. A Garrett Snyder drive for two tied the score with 3:05 left to play but Haskell answered on the next trip to maintain the lead. Andrew Dalton responded with a deep three and the Bobcats regained the lead. With 2:03 showing on the clock, the Indians scored inside, and the advantage shifted again. The teams traded baskets before a Bobcat foul sent the Indians to the line with a 92-91 lead. Converting one of two tries, the Bobcats held the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead. A missed shot returned the ball to the visitors and the Bobcats were in a tight spot, trailing by two with 38.6 showing on the clock. The Indians ran the clock down to 14.4 and a Bobcat foul sent them to the line. With the first free throw good, the Bobcats took a timeout, trailing 94-91. A Jay Baxter drive for two drew a foul and Baxter stepped to the line with the Bobcats trailing by two. Baxter connected on the free throw and with :7.3 left to play the Bobcats needed to foul. The Indians hit both free throws and the Bobcats were unable to score. A Layup at the buzzer for the Indians made the final score 99-94 and the Bobcat win streak had come to an end.

Andrew Dalton dominated the extra periods and ended with a double-double, scoring 33 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Garrett Snyder poured in 21 points, Jay Baxter added 15, and Kyle Flavin tacked on 12. Caleb Faulkner and Seth Soden chipped in seven and six points respectively.

The Bobcats will return to action at home Tuesday when they host Columbia College in a 7 PM start.