McCann's Game-Winner Extends Winning Streak Out To Three

ELSAH, Ill.—The Fontbonne University men's basketball team picked up its third straight win on Saturday as Kris McCann scored the game-winner with 2.0 seconds left to lift the Griffins past Principia, 90-89.

With 2:25 remaining in regulation, the Griffins seemed to be in control with an 88-80 lead after Gus Kleekamp made his layup. However, the team missed two free throws and its lone shot over the next minute and change, allowing Principia go on a 7-0 run to trail 88-87 with 52.0 seconds remaining.

Then, Clark Davidson forced a turnover with 10.0 seconds left, and he scored his layup to give the Panthers a one-point lead with 10.0 seconds on the clock.

McCann was subbed in and he came off the bench to score the game-winning layup with 2.0 seconds remaining to give Fontbonne the one-point win.

Overall, the Griffins (8-11; 6-6 SLIAC) shot 60.7 percent from the field and were led by Kleekamp's 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting. Jared Woodcock contributed 16, while Luke DeLine added 13 points.

Carter Otwell and Jaden Wadlington netted 12 each and Caden Clark was the final player in double-figures with 11.

The Panthers (3-11; 2-9 SLIAC), dropped a heartbreaker despite shooting 53.1 percent and having a 36-28 advantage on the glass.

Davidson was one of two players to register a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Trevaughn Goodman was the other with 24 points and 11 boards of his own. Micah Paulson went 6-of-18 to finish with 16 points, while Zack Matters added 13.

In the first half, it was back and forth play throughout but the Griffins led early with a 19-17 lead at the 12:34 mark.

The two teams would flip-flop on lead changes six times over the next eight minutes and 13 seconds as Fontbonne grabbed a 37-36 advantage after Clark corralled his steal and went to score the layup.

They met up once more at 45-45 after Goodman made both of his free throws at 1:10 and the Panthers went into the locker room ahead by two on Brennan Paulson's bucket with 12.0 seconds on the clock.

Fontbonne shot 54.8 percent from the floor in the first, while the Panthers connected on 56.3 percent of its attempts and held a 16-9 advantage on the glass.

In the second half, after trailing 51-49 at the 17:49 mark, the Griffins went on an 9-0 run over the next three minutes and 37 seconds to take a seven-point (58-51) lead on Kleekamp's made jumper.

Fontbonne maintained its advantage as the clock continued to tick away, but the Panthers stayed within a possession after Goodman hit his layup at 10:23 to make it a 69-66 game.

Over the next five minutes, though the Griffins finally gained some breathing room going on a 14-4 run to own an 83-70 lead at the five-minute mark.

Principia, however, chipped away at the lead and eventually got it back with 10.0 seconds left for the first time since 17:49 of the second half.

However, McCann spoiled the Panthers lead with the late bucket and the foul to give Fontbonne the one-point win.

The team now returns home for a key conference game against Westminster who currently holds the No. 4 slot in the SLIAC standings. Tip-off at 7:30 p.m.

Fans make sure to stay updated on fontbonnegriffins.com throughout the year for full updates and recaps on the men's basketball team.

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