Mules fall at the buzzer to Tarleton, 62-59

           Tarleton State’s LaShon Sheffield hit a running, game-winning, bank shot three-pointer at the buzzer to knock off the Central Missouri State Mules Sunday night at Meyer Sports Center in Bolivar, Mo.

           The Texans (26-6) opened up the first half on a 12-4 run with tough inside play from South Central Region Co-Player of the Year John Davis and Nic Gamble but the Mules (24-8) countered with the slashing perimeter combination of Wadale Williams and Corey Brown to take a lead by the 5:40 mark. The Mules got back into the game with defense, forcing 11 Tarleton turnovers in the half. The Texans tied the game with a three-pointer from Sheffield with 1:37 left but the Mules grabbed the lead with 59 seconds left off a trey from Brown to go into the break up 31-28.

           The second period saw Central Missouri move out to an eight point advantage but Tarleton scored the game’s next 15 points to move into the lead. The Mules went up by one at the 11:09 mark but from then on, neither team led by more than four points. The region’s other Player of the Year, Michael Hicks, hit a three to tie the game with 1:29 left followed by two free throws to tie the game again with 49 seconds remaining. Sheffield missed a closely guarded shot with 18 seconds left but the Texans got the carom off a CMSU player for the offensive rebound to retain possession for the last shot. The Mules defended the play well but Sheffield’s running three banked in from the right side for the win at the buzzer.

           This was the second time in as many years that CMSU was knocked out of the NCAA Tournament by Tarleton in a close game. The Texans did it with a potent inside attack, scoring 32 points in the lane compared to the Mules’ 20. CMSU was also uncharacteristically off from the free throw line, hitting 12-of-22.

           Hicks led with 19 points and seven rebounds for Central Missouri while Williams finished with 12 and Brown with 11.

           The Texans were led by Davis with 22 points while Gamble tallied 15 and Sheffield hit for 16. Davis also pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.