by Matt Bos, Media Coordinator

Point Lookout, Mo.-Box Score | Bracket- 

An offensive rebound and put-back by Alex Houston with nine seconds left lifted Mount Mercy (Iowa) past Southern Oregon in overtime 98-97 in the first round of the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship.

Southern Oregon had one last chance to win it but a three-pointer by Ben DeSaulnier from the right wing was off mark as time expired.

Down by as many as 15 in the first half, Mount Mercy began the second half with an 8-0 run to cut the Raiders lead down to single digits. Consecutive three-pointers by C.J. Parker and Mychael Brawner-Henley capped a 22-6 Mustangs’ run and gave Mount Mercy its largest lead, 82-75, at the six-minute mark.

Southern Oregon, however, rallied behind the play of its leading scorer, DeSaulnier, who netted the next nine points for his team as they tied the game at 86. The teams traded baskets over the final two-plus minutes to send the game into overtime tied a 90.

Both teams held the lead in a back-and-forth extra period that featured five lead changes over the final four minutes. A basket in the paint by Jordan West put Southern Oregon in front with under a minute left, setting up the late-game heroics by Houston for Mount Mercy.

Houston led Mount Mercy with 18 points and was one of five Mustangs’ players to net double figures. Sheawn Bedford Jr. chipped in 15 points, draining four three-pointers, and Derik Gogg came off the bench to match his career-best with 14 points.

DeSaulnier led all scorers with 26 points while Raiders’ teammate Jordan West poured in 22. After blistering the nets at 63% in the first half, Southern Oregon shot 51% for the game, 36% over the final two periods. This was the first loss in nine overtime games, dating back to last season, for Southern Oregon, who has its season end with a 26-7 record.

Mount Mercy runs its record to 26-7 and advances to Friday’s second round where they will play either No. 1 Saint Francis (Ind.) or No. 8 Dakota State (S.D.).