ABILENE, TX – The University of St. Thomas' Men's Basketball team came up just short in a tightly contested 70-67 loss to Hardin-Simmons University. The Celts held a 31-29 halftime advantage and continued to trade the lead with the Cowboys throughout the second half before Hardin-Simmons pulled ahead in the final seconds. With the loss, UST moves to 0-1 overall on the season.
Hardin-Simmons opened the scoring, but Corey Thompson answered with a layup off an assist from Omar Gayle to tie the game at 2-2. Nathan Kongolo added a jumper to even the score at 4-4 before the Cowboys put together a scoring run to take a 10-4 advantage. Kohlman Dutton answered with a basket inside, and Garrett Rodgers connected from three-point range to bring UST within three, 12-9. Kongolo followed with a fast-break dunk after recording a steal, cutting the deficit to 12-11. Milton Rice continued the push with a dunk and a layup before adding a three-pointer, helping the Celts stay within four at 22-18.
UST kept working its way back as Nicholas Buffalo converted four free throws to bring the Celts within one, 23-22. Thompson then scored inside to give UST its first lead of the game at 24-23. Rodgers added three free throws and another basket in the paint as the Celts extended their advantage to 29-25. After Hardin-Simmons tied the score at 29-29, Rodgers answered with a jumper off an assist from Gayle with 32 seconds remaining. UST carried a 31-29 lead into halftime.
The Cowboys opened the second half with a basket to tie the game, but Thompson responded with a layup and a free throw to put UST back in front, 34-33. After Hardin-Simmons moved ahead, Charles Gitonga connected from three-point range to tie the game at 37-37. Thompson followed with a fast-break layup, giving the Celts a 39-37 advantage. Hardin-Simmons answered with a three-pointer and a basket inside to regain the lead, but Gitonga kept UST close with a second-chance dunk. Kongolo tied the game at 43-43 with a basket inside, and Rice added a fast-break layup after a steal by Jai Guerra-Howard tying the score at 45-45. Dutton then scored on another fast break putting UST ahead 47-45. Kongolo's jumper extended the Celts' lead to four, 49-45.
Hardin-Simmons responded to regain the advantage, but UST continued to trade baskets. Dutton connected from beyond the arc to put the Celts back in front, 52-51, and Rice followed with a three-pointer to make it 55-53. After the Cowboys tied the game, Dutton hit another three-pointer, giving UST a 58-56 lead. Thompson added a free throw to put the Celts ahead 59-58, and Dutton extended the margin with a fast-break layup for a 61-58 advantage. Gitonga continued to deliver inside, scoring a dunk and a jumper to give UST a 65-62 lead with just over three minutes remaining.
Hardin-Simmons rallied to tie the game at 65-65, setting up a close finish. Thompson drove for a layup with 53 seconds remaining to put UST back in front, 67-66. The Cowboys answered with a basket inside with 34 seconds left to take a one-point lead. UST had another opportunity to respond, but Hardin-Simmons converted two free throws in the final 14 seconds to secure the 70-67 victory.
Thompson, Dutton, and Rice each led UST with 12 points. Rodgers added 10 points, while Gitonga finished with nine points and Kongolo contributed eight points, six rebounds, and five assists. Buffalo also grabbed six rebounds, and Gayle added four assists. As a team, the Celts recorded 26 field goals, including six three-pointers, and converted nine free throws. UST finished with 33 rebounds, 14 assists, and eight steals, while scoring 19 points off turnovers and 28 bench points.
UP NEXT
The Celts will host Schreiner University in San Antonio, TX on Saturday, November 21, at 3 PM.
