by Derek White
The Colby Trojans men’s basketball team (13-11) hosted the Butler Grizzlies (16-6) on a snowy Tuesday at the Colby Event Center. The game turned into an absolute gem, full of drama and anxiety coming down to the last possession. Colby found a way to pull ahead after Gaius Meowuru M’Ella hit two clutch free-throws to pull Colby ahead by two with 1.9 seconds remaining, and then Butler missed a desperation three-pointer ending the game 70-72.
The game was originally scheduled to be on Wednesday, but with winter storm expected to pound the high plains it was moved ahead to Tuesday Feb. 11. Just like the weather, Colby started off a little cold falling behind 7-3 four minutes into the game.
Colby maintained pace with Butler staying four points behind halfway through the first half. Then Colby’s Eternity Eguagie hit a clean three-pointer to tie the game at 17, followed by a mini-run by Colby to pull ahead by four points. Butler wasn’t giving in though, and they regained the lead taking over 22-21 with under five minutes to go in the half.
After a handful of lead changes Colby was able to take advantage of the last possession and pull ahead by two ending the first half 38-40.
Into the second half, Butler retook the lead at 44-43 before Colby tied it back up at 47. Colby then went on a 10-0 run to blow the game wide open, but there was still 11:53 remaining and Butler wasn’t giving up the fight. Within two minutes Butler had tied the game back up at 59, then found their stroke hitting two three-pointers to lead Colby 65-61.
The battle wasn’t done though, as Colby regained the lead off a Butler goal tending call and two fouls that Colby converted into three points to lead by one. Butler then hit a desperation three-pointer at the end of the shot clock to steal the lead back 68-66.
Colby then fell victim to critical errors while down two points with less than three minutes remaining. Finding a way to the free-throw line, Colby finished the game on clutch shooting from M’Ella. Butler still had a chance with 1.9 seconds remaining, and they were able to get off a good shot, but the ball clanked off the rim to give Colby the win 70-72.
Colby was led in scoring by Eguagie with 23 points, followed by M’Ella with 15, and Maxence Massadila with 10 points. Next the Trojans will be hosting Pratt on Feb. 15, then traveling to Seward County on Feb. 19.
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