DULUTH, MN – In the longest game of the NCAA era for the University of Mary men's basketball program, Jaylan White scored with less than two seconds remaining in the third overtime to lift the visiting Marauders over the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs 100-98.
 
The second straight game against the Bulldogs (7-6 overall, 4-5 NSIC) this season that needed more than 40 minutes, the Marauders (7-8, 4-5) overcame five-point deficits in both the second and the third extra sessions to sweep the season series. Earlier this season the Marauders defeated the visiting Bulldogs 73-70 when Dennis Austin III hit a three-pointer in the final second of overtime.

"Winning games is great but winning games like this one is something you remember for a lifetime," said Marauders head coach Joe Kittell. "What an effort... WOW!"
 
White scored 12 of his team-high 25 points in the three extra sessions, making all six of his free throw attempts in the overtimes. For the game the junior guard was 8-for-8 at the line and hit 8-of-15 shots overall. He added four assists and three steals.
 
Connor Hellebust added a career-high 21 points, making three treys in the game. He also set a career-best mark in steals with five.
 
Tom Kubank and Wyatt Carr both finished the game 4-of-7 behind the arc. Kubank posted 18 points, making 7-of-11 shots overall. Carr had 12 points off the bench and added four rebounds. Dennis Austin III chipped in 11 points and team-best eight rebounds. Reserve guard Evan Anderson contributed four assists, four rebounds and three points.
 
Brandon Myer led UMD with a game-high 31 points. He also had 11 rebounds. Sean Burns posted a double double with 26 points and 15 rebounds. Logan Rohrscheib nailed six 3s and had 20 points. Trevor Entwisle just missed a triple double woth 13 assists, nine rebounds and eight points.
 
The Marauders exploded offensively in the first half and looked to run away with the contest. Kubank knocked down 4-of-5 trey attempts and the Marauders led 45-36 at intermission. UMary continued to roll early in the second half and built a 52-38 lead on a Hellebust 3-pointer.
 
The Bulldogs used a 15-0 run to take their first lead of the second half at 56-55 on a Burns dunk with over 12 minutes remaining in regulation. A pair of triples by Carr then keyed a 12-2 run for the Marauders as UMary built a 67-58 lead.
 
With the clock not running out nearly fast enough for the Marauders, the Bulldogs finally caught up once again with five seconds left as Myer hit two free throws to knot the game 73-73 and force overtime.
 
Both teams exchanged baskets in the first overtime as White and Matthew Kreklow each responded to end the session tied 77-77. The Marauders looked to end the game in similar fashion to their overtime winner at home over the Bulldogs but Hellebust's open look in the corner in front of the Marauders bench proved just a little long as time expired.
 
Twice the Marauders fell behind by five in the second overtime, the second time on a Burns dunk with 35 seconds remaining. White closed the gap to 87-84 on a layup with 23 seconds left. With time running out and the situation looking dire for UMary, the Bulldogs misses a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left. Taking advantage, White found Carr alone behind the arc and the sophomore buried his fourth trey of the game, tying the contest with less than five seconds remaining to force a third overtime.
 
Once again needing to overcome a 5-point deficit, White hit a pair of free throws to close the gap to 92-89. After a defensive stop, Hellebust grabbed an offensive rebound and scored inside as UMary pulled within 92-91.
 
After a pair of White free throws knotted the game at 93-93, Entwisle hit a big three for UMD. Once again turning to the team's leading scorer, a White layup kept the Marauders within 96-95 and 1:36 to play. Then another defensive stop for UMary led to a pair of Hellebust free throws. Fouled shooting a 3-pointer, his two makes provided the Marauders their first lead of overtime at 98-96 with 64 seconds on the clock.
 
Now UMD turned to its leading scorer. Myer's first shot attempt was blocked by Kubank but not the second as the Bulldogs forward evened the game at 98-98.
 
Looking to once again step in front, both White and Hellebust missed layups with the chance to give the Marauders a lead. The Bulldogs couldn't take advantage, throwing the ball away with 16 seconds to play. Given a second opportunity, White took full advantage. Waiting for the clock to run down, White slashed into the lane and made a difficult bucket to win the game and snap the Marauders 4-game losing streak.
 
Keyed by White, the Marauders were clutch at the line in overtime, making 9-of-11 while the Bulldogs went 5-of-12.
 
For the game the Marauders shot 46.8 percent from the floor, including a 13-for-33 effort behind the arc. UMary was +5 in turnovers but lost the rebounding battle 49-40. UMD hit 47.9 percent of its shots and precisely matched UMary's efforts behind the arc.
 
The Marauders conclude their weekend road trip with a visit to St. Cloud State University on Saturday, Jan. 12. Game time is 5:30 pm.
 
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