Blue Mountain College Men’s Hoops Shocks D1 Road Foe in Triple OT

PINE BLUFF, Ark. (WCBI/BMC Athletics) –Blue Mountain College took on Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a non-conference exhibition tilt here Monday evening, and clipped the NCAA Division I team 77-74 in three overtimes.

It took almost seven minutes before either team scored, then UAPB’s Ghiavonni Robinson hit a layup and was answered with a layup from BMC’s Anfernee Floyd (JR/Little Rock, Ark.).

With six minutes left in the first half, BMC grabbed its first lead, aided by a 3-point bucket from Denio Chirindza (SR/Mozambique, Africa) and a couple free-throws from Chris English (JR/Anniston, Ala.).

The NCAA team regained the lead shortly after and went into the half with a slim 22-17 lead.

In the second half, Chirindza hit a couple quick buckets four minutes in, giving BMC a 25-23 lead.

It was shot-for-shot down the wire, with UAPB holding a three-point lead with time running out.  BMC’s Conner Helvig (SR/Gilbert, Az.) would hit a long three with four seconds to go to tie the game at 50 and send it to overtime.

UAPB’s Robinson hit two clutch free-throws with three seconds left to send it to double overtime.

In the second OT frame, English scored on a layup with 1:43 left to give BMC a 64-63 lead.

BMC led 66-64 with three seconds left when UAPB’s Trent Steen followed his own shot and tipped it in, tying it and sending it to a third overtime.

Both teams scored crucial buckets in the third OT, but BMC finished it from the free-throw line with Floyd hitting 3-of-4 with time running out.

Floyd finished with his second double-double in as many outings, scoring 19 points and pulling down 15 rebounds, 10 were on the offensive end.

English also recorded the double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 12 boards.

Chrindza finished with 15 points and Helvig added 14 in the win.

“We had a great effort tonight and the guys showed a lot of toughness and determination,” BMC head coach J.D. Parker said.  “Their length was hard on us but the guys did a nice job staying with what we were doing and making adjustments.  Chris and Anfernee made several big plays and it was fun to see Chris step up and be so resilient.  For our team to out rebound them 53-35; that’s just toughness.  We’ll get ready for Alcorn State tomorrow.  Three games in four days is not easy, but I believe our guys will be ready.”