San Antonio – Loranja Owens hit two free throws with 3.3 seconds left to play, helping Fort Hays State University to a 49-47 win over St. Mary’s University in men’s basketball action Wednesday night at the River City Classic men’s basketball tournament, played at Bill Greehey Arena.

St. Mary’s led 47-44 after a lay-up by Allen Coleman (Jr., Corpus Christi) with 2:12 left to play in the game. But that would be the final points by the Rattlers. Owens made 1-of-2 free throws with 2:08 play to cut the deficit to two points. Then a Jeff Pruitt turnaround jumper with 41 seconds to play tied the score at 47-47. Jarvis Lee (Sr., Houston) had his driving lay-up with 32 seconds left to play blocked by Pruitt. With time running out in the game Owens drove into the lane and drew a foul by Coleman with 3.3 left to play. He then coolly hit both free throws and a desperation attempt by Coleman as time expired was short.

Lee led the Rattlers with 13 points on 5-of-14 shooting from the field, including a pair of three-point baskets. Joe Dinkins (Sr., Conroe), Latez Williams (Jr., Hamilton, Ohio) and Coleman all had eight points. Marcus Hill (Jr., Longview) pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.

For the Tigers Pruitt led the way with 13 points, while Anthony Grant and Alex Davenport had 10 points each. Davenport also had eight rebounds to lead the team.

As a team the Rattlers shot 37.2 percent (16-43) from the field and 20.0 percent (2-10) from three-point range. They were a solid 68.4 percent from the free throw line (13-19). FHSU made 35.6 percent of its shots from the field and 50.0 percent of the shots from the free throw line. The Rattlers outrebounded the Tigers 35-34.

With the loss the Rattlers have dropped three games in a row and are now 4-6 overall this season. Fort Hays State improved to 7-3. St. Mary’s will return to action on Friday, December 29, when they host nationally ranked Tarleton State University at 7:30 p.m. at Bill Greehey Arena.

River City Classic – Day 2 Results
Midwestern State 72, (#12) Northwest Missouri State 70
Pittsburg State 77, (#15) Southeastern Oklahoma State 72
(#17) Metro State 70, Missouri Western State 67
Fort Hays State 49, St. Mary’s 47

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