LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The Raiders literally slipped up in trying to pick up a road win. Three Rivers had a pair of chances late but didn't convert and lost 86- 85 at Arkansas Baptist. Three Rivers with the game tied and about 30 seconds left. The Raiders milked the clock and then Aidan Sunders drove, but turned the ball over and committed a foul, putting Arkansas Baptist's Darius Elliott on the line. Elliott, a 78 percent freethrow shooter for the season and Arkansas Baptist's leading scorer, missed the first and made the second to put the Buffaloes ahead by a point with 5.8 seconds left. Saunders took the ball and drove the length of the floor. As he drove for the potential game-winning shot, he slipped on the floor and time ran out as the Raiders didn't get a shot up. Saunders finished with 23 points and nine rebounds in the physical game. Jeffery Porter added 28 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four steals. Chucky Wilson got 20 points and Cameron Maddox had 10.
With about 90 seconds left in the game, Wilson was on a fastbreak, went up for a dunk and had his legs taken out. He landed hard on his back and left the game. Three Rivers assistant coach Brian Bess said he is unsure if Wilson will play against Moberly Area on Saturday. Three Rivers had seven players available against Arkansas Baptist and has not played with 10 players since Dec. 3. It has had either seven or eight players available in each of their past five games. Sprigins led Arkansas Baptist, which had six players come off the bench, with 29 points.
Scott Borkgren - Daily American Republic