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Bulatovic_Fillip
Mike Gryniewicz
107
Carthage CARTHAGE 5-7,5-6 CCIW
109
Winner Augustana AUGIE 7-4,6-4 CCIW
Carthage CARTHAGE
5-7,5-6 CCIW
107
Final
109
Augustana AUGIE
7-4,6-4 CCIW
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 OT 1 OT 2 OT 3 F
Carthage CARTHAGE 36 45 8 8 10 107
Augustana AUGIE 39 42 8 8 12 109

Game Recap: #22 Men's Basketball |

Men’s Basketball Falls to Augustana in Triple Overtime Thriller

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — The Carthage College men's basketball team fell in close competition to Augustana (Ill.) in triple overtime in the first round of the Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) men's basketball tournament Saturday at Roy J. Carver Center. 

Augustana (Ill.) (7-4, 6-4 CCIW) held a slim 15-13 lead to begin the first half over Carthage (5-7, 5-6 CCIW). Five consecutive points from Garrett Horner saw the Firebirds take control of the game at 18-17 with 9:31 remaining. A three-pointer from Josh Washburn put Carthage up four with 6:14 however, the Vikings got within one and regained control of the game with a three-point bucket. Carthage headed into the intermission break trailing 39-36. 

The Firebirds bounced back in the second as a layup from Sean Johnson flipped the score to 53-51. Carthage held a three-point advantage for the next few minutes of play until Augustana (Ill.) sank a jumper at the 5:34 mark to go up one. The Firebirds responded by taking control of the game with a layup from Fillip Bulatovic at the 3:03 mark however, the Vikings chipped away at the lead and tied it at 58 with a three-pointer. Each team had an opportunity to win the game but were unable to sink a basket as the teams headed to the first overtime tied at 58. 

In the first overtime period, the Vikings put in a layup which gave them control of the game at 87-85 with 1:23 left. A free-throw and jumper from Bulatovic changed the score to 88-87 in favor of Carthage with under 30 seconds left. Bulatovic added another free-throw to go up two until Augustana (Ill.) hit a layup to force double overtime. 

The Vikings continued momentum with a pair of free-throws to go up two a minute into the second overtime. The Firebirds battled back with two free throws from Johnson and a jumper from Horner putting Carthage up 93-91 with 2:39 left. With the game even at 95, Johnson made two free throws putting the Firebirds up two at 97-95 until Augustana (Ill.) retaliated with two free throws of their own. Though Carthage had an opportunity to win the game, a missed layup from Johnson sent the game into another overtime period. 

With the scoreboard locked at 102 in the third overtime, the lead would not grow greater than one for either side until the Vikings hit a three-pointer changing the score to 106-104 with under two minutes left. Horner sank a three, putting the visitors in front 107-106 but Augustana (Ill.) sank a jumper and hit one free throw to go up two with nine seconds left. Though Luke Barach had a good look at a three, it did not hit its mark as the Vikings won 109-107. 

Head Coach Steve Djurickovic

"Heartbreaking end to one of the best basketball games I've been a part of. I can't say enough about the toughness of our guys and their belief in one another. This whole year was uncertain and two months ago I wasn't sure if we would play any games. To get the opportunity to play 12 games is a testament to our team and the administration and for that we are thankful. 

Today was a back and forth game for 55 minutes. We had multiple opportunities to seal the game but the ball didn't bounce our way unfortunately and sometimes that's the way the game goes. 
 
This has been a great group that has handled adversity every step of the way and I give all the credit to this senior class. TJ Best, Sean Johnson, Kyle Peirce, and Josh Washburn have been leaders from day one and helped show this young group what it takes to compete in the CCIW. We will miss their contributions and leadership. 
 
Excited about what we have in the building coming back and I know this group will be hungry to work in the off-season. Fillip Bulatovic is one of the most talented players in the country and I'm looking forward to seeing his growth this offseason. He was a force not only on the offensive end but rebounded everything today. 
 
Tough way to finish a year but couldn't be prouder of this group which was one of the closest I've ever been around. Excited to get back to work and build towards next year!"

Quick Facts

  • It was a career-day for Fillip Bulatovic registering new career-best totals in points (35) and rebounds (20). 
  • Sean Johnson recorded his 14th career double-double on the day finishing with 16 points and 13 rebounds. 
  • Senior Josh Washburn added 27 points and has scored 20 or more points three out of the last four games for Carthage. 
  • Freshman Garrett Horner recorded career-bests in points (24) and rebounds (6).  
You can keep up with Carthage Athletics by following us on Facebook at facebook.com/carthageathletics, Twitter by following @CarthageSports, and on Instagram by following @CarthageAthletics.

 
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