Late Game Run Falls Short in 50-49 Loss to Oglethorpe

Late Game Run Falls Short in 50-49 Loss to Oglethorpe

The Westminster men's basketball team's late game run fell just short in Tuesday's 50-49 loss to Oglethorpe. The Westminster Blue Jays are now 3-4 on the season.

Oglethorpe jumped out to a 10-2 run three minutes into the game and went up by 11 with 13:23 left in the first half, 16-5. Two free throws from sophomore Romo Tabb and a layup from sophomore Jimmy Villalobos brought the Blue Jays within six with 5:39 to play, 20-14, and two minutes later, Villalobos put in another layup to bring the Blue Jay's deficit to four. Senior Brandon Drum hit a jump shot with three seconds on the clock to send the game into halftime with Oglethorpe leading 27-22.

Seven minutes into the second half, Oglethorpe possessed a 12-point lead, 37-25. A 7-2 run by the Blue Jays brought the game within seven with nine minutes on the clock, and they brought it within six after freshman Carter Wands' layup and free throw. A dunk from Tabb put the Blue Jays within two, 41-39, but four consecutive points by Oglethorpe took back a six-point lead with 2:39 to play. Drum made two free throws to start a 6-0 run. Freshman Dominick Erby made a layup with 1:23 and another layup by Villalobos with 22 seconds on the clock to knot the game at 49-49. With 0:06 on the board, the Blue Jays fouled to stop the clock and sent Oglethorpe to the line. They made the first to go up by one, but missed the second and Villalobos grabbed the rebound. He put up a shot with 0:02 on the clock, but the ball went in and out of the net to fall by one, 50-49. 

Tabb posted 13 points while grabbing five rebounds. Drum added nine points and Villalobos pulled down eight boards.

The Blue Jays will stop in Tennessee to play Austin Peay on Wednesday, December 30, at 7:00 pm EST.