For second straight game, last-second game-winning shot doesn’t fall for C-SC men

CANTON, Mo. — The inbounds play worked well. The ball was in the hands of the team’s leading scorer, and the shot was open from about 10 feet.

But for the second consecutive game, a potential game-winning last-second shot didn’t drop for the Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball team.

Alonzo Ortiz-Traylor missed a short jumper as time expired in a 75-74 loss to Mount Mercy University 75-74 Wednesday night in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game at Charles Field House.

The Wildcats trailed 74-69 with 1:35 remaining in the game. Jalen Blaize scored a layup with 1:19 to play, and then Javon Modester stole the ball. After missed shota by Modester and Caleb Kizer, Ortiz-Traylor buried a 3-pointer with 50 seconds to play to tie the game.   

A steal by Blaize with 39 seconds left gave the Wildcats a chance to take the lead, but his 3-point attempt on C-SC’s next possession missed, and Mount Mercy grabbed the rebound. The Mustangs’ RayShawn Webb was fouled with five seconds left, and he made the second of two free throws to give the visitors a one-point advantage.

Modester found Zac Rzewnicki near midcourt on the inbounds pass. Rzewnicki skipped a pass to Blaize streaking up the left sideline, and Blaize raced ro the basket before passing to Ortiz-Traylor for the last-second shot.

Ortiz-Traylor, who leads the team at 18 points per game, missed a last-second shot on Saturday in a home loss to Missouri Valley.

Blaize finished with 25 points for C-SC (14-11, 5-11 in the Heart) Ortiz-Traylor added 24 points.