Welch's buzzer beater elevates Griffins; Bakis records first double-double

Greenville, Ill. - Fontbonne traveled to Greenville College tonight for an exciting SLIAC showdown. With three seconds to go in overtime, Fontbonne's Blake Welch drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Griffins the big 71-68 win. The win keeps Fontbonne in the hunt for SLIAC postseason play.

The Griffins started out slow, falling behind 21-8 with seven minutes left in the first half. The Griffins cut Greenville's lead down to six before the intermission.

Fontbonne took a 30-29 lead on an Orkin Bakis three-pointer with 17:41 left to play and maintained the lead until there were seven minutes remaining. The Griffins managed a four-point advantage with 2:22 left, however Greenville tied the game with 30 seconds to go, sending the game into overtime.

Greenville scored first in overtime, but the Griffins immediately regained the lead until a Panther three-pointer with 14 seconds left tied the game at 68 apiece. Greenville took a timeout and Welch's buzzer beater ensued.

Bakis had a big night, accumulating six three-pointers on eight tries while grabbing 10 rebounds and two steals. It was the first career double-double for the sophomore Turkey native. Welch finished with three three-pointers on 16 points. Jared Greenlee scored 13 points with 10 rebouds and Richard Dorhauer 12 points and nine rebounds. Dorhauer was a perfect 8-for-8 at the free throw line.

Fontbonne returns to St. Louis for a meeting against Principia College this Saturday, February 7th. Start time has been pushed up to 2:00pm.