C-SC men make enough free throws to fend off Baker, qualify for postseason for first time in five seasons

CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College men’s basketball program overcame a 10-point second-half deficit to post a 73-71 victory over Baker University on Saturday at Charles Field House and clinch a postseason berth for the first time since the 2018-19 season.

After falling behind 58-48 with 9:16 to play in the second half, the Wildcats answered with a 10-2 run over the next three minutes.

The C-SC defense held the visitors scoreless over the final 2:22 of regulation after Baker’s Noah Rigatuso made two free throws to up the visitor lead to 71-66.

Two free throws by Conner Davis and a steal and two more free throws by Gabe Cox brought the Wildcats within 71-70 with 1:39 to play. Cox forced his second straight turnover with a steal on the ensuing possession and the Wildcats called timeout with 68 seconds remaining and C-SC still trailing by a point.

Seth Larson missed a fade-away jumper on the left baseline and Baker grabbed the rebound with 53 seconds left.

Baker turned it over a third straight time with 27 seconds left and the Wildcats took advantage as Robert Fry II was fouled driving the basket with 19 seconds left. Fry, who had missed four of his first six free throw attempts in the game, drained both free tosses to give C-SC a 72-71 lead.

Baker called timeout with 15 seconds left to set up a play, but Nick Whittick missed and Larson grabbed the rebound and was fouled with five seconds left. Larson made the second of two free throws to give the Wildcats a two-point advantage.

Out of timeouts, Whittick took the inbounds pass and raced the length of the floor and put up a short runner that hit the side of the rim and bounced away as the horn sounded.

Davis led the Wildcat offense with 18 points, while Larson registered a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The victory guarantees the Wildcats, who are in a fifth place tie with Peru State in the Heart of America Athletic Conference with a 12-10 league mark, a top-eight finish in the conference for the first time in five years. C-SC (14-12) is scheduled to play its final two games on the road beginning Wednesday at Graceland.