The Little Giants played an extra ten minutes of ball on Friday afternoon before coming away with an 87-81 victory in double overtime over Tufts University in the opening game of the Radisson Inn Thanksgiving Classic in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Wabash had to rally from an 11-point deficit to take a 33-32 lead at halftime. But the Little Giants found themselves trailing once again, this time by nine points with ten minutes left in regulation. A rebound basket by Joe DesJean (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian) cut the Jumbos’ lead to seven, followed by a Brady Claxton (Shelbyville, IN/Shelbyville) basket to thin the Tufts’ advantage once again.
Wabash outscored the Jumbos 11-2 over a four-minute span to tie the game at 60-60. The teams stayed even until a 6-0 run by Tufts put the Jumbos in front 68-63. But a layup by DesJean with 35 second remaining in the game and a three-point basket by freshman Chris Waters (Gary, IN/Calumet) with 11 seconds left in regulation sent the game into the first extra period.
The Little Giants played from behind in the first overtime until taking a 74-72 lead with 52 second left in the extra period when Claxton nailed two free throws. A layup by Tufts’ Brian Shapiro tied the game at 74-74 to send the game into the second overtime.
Wabash took control in the second five-minute overtime, jumping out to an 81-74 lead on a basket by DesJean, a three by Claxton, and free throws by Jesse Burgess (Camby, IN/Mooresville). Tufts made a final run, cutting the Wabash lead to two points. But the Little Giants connected on free throws down the stretch to earn their third win of the season, advancing to the championship game of the tournament.
DesJean recorded a double-double in the game, leading the team with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Claxton scored 24. Waters and Pleas Ferguson (Indianapolis, IN/Arsenal Tech) scored eight points each.
Wabash will play in the championship game at 10 p.m. (EST). The Little Giants will face the winner of the Colorado College-Philadelphia Bible College contest.