Mavericks Secure Fourth Straight Victory in Overtime Thriller Against Lamar
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A resilient Omaha Men’s Basketball team overcame a late rally by Lamar to secure an 85-82 overtime victory Saturday night in Beaumont, Texas. The win marks the Mavericks’ fourth consecutive triumph and improves their record to 5-1 in their last six games.
Omaha showcased remarkable mental fortitude, battling back from a 15-point lead relinquished in the second half and ultimately prevailing in a tense extra period. The team’s success hinged on standout performances from Lance Waddles and Paul Djobet, as well as crucial free throws down the stretch from Ja’Sean Glover and Kamryn Thomas.
Overtime Drama Seals the Deal
Tied 78-78 early in overtime, Glover stepped up for Omaha, converting two free throws, a layup, and another free throw to establish an 83-80 advantage with just 25.4 seconds remaining. Lamar responded with a pair of free throws, narrowing the gap to one point. However, Thomas calmly sank two free throws with 2.5 seconds left, extending the lead to three. The game concluded with a decisive play as Glover intercepted the inbound pass, securing the hard-fought victory for the Mavericks.
“We showed some great mental toughness,” said head coach Chris Crutchfield, who also celebrated his birthday on Saturday. “Most of the time when a team loses a lead that leads to overtime, you lose momentum. But I told the guys (before overtime), you be the tougher team.”
Waddles and Djobet Lead the Offensive Charge
Lance Waddles delivered a stellar performance, finishing with 25 points – just one shy of his career high – before being sidelined with a foul with 14 seconds left in the game. Paul Djobet made an immediate impact in his Omaha debut, scoring 16 of his career-high 22 points in the first half.
The Mavericks initially struggled, falling into an 8-2 deficit in the opening minutes. However, they quickly turned the tide, embarking on a 22-4 run over the next seven minutes, fueled by the dynamic duo of Waddles and Djobet. The pair combined to hit nine of their first ten field-goal attempts, including back-to-back three-pointers that extended Omaha’s lead to 24-12 midway through the first half.
Djobet continued his impressive debut, converting a three-point play with 2:02 remaining in the half to reach 16 points while shooting 6-of-7 from the field. A putback by freshman Brock Scholl gave Omaha a 43-32 lead at halftime.
Second-Half Surge and Lamar’s Response
Omaha extended its lead to 49-34 early in the second half with a three-pointer from Tony Osburn. Waddles continued to dominate, scoring 12 points during a crucial stretch, including a three-pointer with seven minutes left that pushed the score to 68-55.
However, Lamar mounted a fierce comeback, utilizing pressure defense to score 10 consecutive points and eventually tying the game 76-76 with free throws in the final seconds. Omaha’s desperation shot at the buzzer fell short, sending the game into overtime.
Scholl Contributes All-Around Performance
Beyond Waddles and Djobet, Omaha received a significant contribution from freshman Brock Scholl, who finished with 13 points and seven rebounds in 31 minutes of play.
The Mavericks will enjoy a break before returning to action on Sunday, December 28, when they face Big Ten opponent Oregon at 7 p.m. CT.
Fans can follow Omaha Men’s Basketball on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, @OmahaMBB.
