1/12/10- Royals Oh So Close Against Lancers

Riverside, CA- On Tuesday night, the Royals never saw the lead but they came back from 10 points down late in the second half to force overtime against California Baptist.  Unfortunately, the Royals ran out of gas and fell 60-55 to the Lancers.  Senior Marcellus Cullors brought the Royals back all night with 27 points and 10 rebounds.

The Lancers (11-5, 4-2 GSAC) took the early lead and held it for the first ten minutes until the Royals (4-11, 0-6 GSAC) tied the game at 9-9 on a pair of free throws from Cullors.

A few minutes later the game was tied again at 12-12 after Senior Ryan Sewitsky hit a free throw while being fouled and knocked down the ensuing free throw.  The Royals’ joy was short lived as the Lancers responded with 11-0 run to seemingly take control of the game.

By halftime, the Royals pulled within eight (29-21) after Freshman Kris Rosales drained a jumper with six seconds left.  Cullors was the high man for the Royals at the break with 8 points and 6 rebounds.

Meanwhile, the Royals had little answer for the strength of Jamar Ransome for the Lancers.  He finished the half already with a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.  He would ultimately end the game with 19 points and 12 boards.

Out of the second half gate, Cullors proved he was ready to lead the comeback as he dropped in a layup just seven seconds into the half.  That was the beginning of an 8-4 Cullors versus the Lancers run to pull the Royals to within four.

Five and a half minutes later, the Royals still found themselves down by four.  The results of the next minute of play proved to be the difference in the game when all the dust settled.

After a missed shot by the Royals produced a long rebound, the Lancers found themselves on a three on one break.  Larry Dew drove hard to basket, scored, and was fouled by Junior Richard Merical.  The officials viewed the foul as intentional and awarded the Lancers an extra foul shot and the ball.  The result was suddenly a ten point lead (48-38) for the Lancers with 6:57 to play.

The Royals did not throw in the towel, however, and allowed the Lancers to score just three more points the remainder of regulation.  Cullors twice brought the Royals to within four points with the second time coming with exactly 3:00 minutes to play.  The layup gave Cullors 17 second half points.

Senior Marko Torovic, who struggled at times throughout the night, came through when it mattered most as he scored the final four points of regulation to tie the game.

After a desperation jumper by the Royals failed with three tenths of a second left- the game was headed to overtime with the game tied at 51 all.

The game was tied once again at 53-53 with two minutes left in overtime.  The Lancers closed out the game with 7-2 run to secure the win.

  On Saturday, the Royals will butt heads with The Master’s College.  Tip-off is schedule for 7:30 pm.

 

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