| Reyce Allen scored a team-high 16 points for the Celts. UST athletics photo by Cesar Bravo (@moments_by_bravo) |
The University of St. Thomas survived a last-second shot in regulation, and the No. 1-seeded Celts avoided the first-round upset bid, defeating No. 16-seeded Belhaven 69-63 in overtime.
Belhaven erased multiple second-half deficits and forced overtime in the closing seconds before the nationally ranked Celts pulled away in the extra period.
The Blazers (16-13) led by five midway through the second half after a three-pointer by C.J. Minton, before the Celts (27-1) went on an 8-2 run to take a 50-49 lead. From there, it was back and forth, with the Blazers hanging in the game despite struggling from the foul line. Nathan Kongolo hit two free throws to put UST up 58-54 with 1:08 left in the game.
With time winding down, Belhaven mounted one final push. Minton knocked down a jumper to cut the deficit to two before Dan Robinson tied the game at 58-58 with a clutch jumper in the final 30 seconds.
Allen missed a potential game-winning layup, giving the Blazers the ball back with the shot clock turned off. Dan Robinson made an acrobatic three-point shot as the horn sounded, however, the ball was still in his hands at the buzzer, forcing the game to overtime.
In overtime, St. Thomas seized momentum early. Kongolo opened the extra period with a jumper to give the Celts a 60–58 lead before assisting Thompson on a clutch three-pointer that extended the advantage to 63-58. UST’s defense held strong down the stretch, controlling the boards and forcing difficult shots.
Allen delivered the exclamation point in the final seconds with an emphatic dunk to push the lead to 67–60, and Thompson added two free throws moments later to secure the 69-63 victory as the Celts advanced to face Trinity (Texas) in the second round.
Allen led the Celts with 16 points, adding five rebounds while attacking the basket throughout the night. Thompson contributed 15 points and seven rebounds, including a critical three-pointer in overtime and key free throws late in the game. Kongolo delivered an all-around performance with 13 points, five rebounds, and four steals