The SAU Tech Men's Rockets were looking to start the new year with a solid streak of wins as they start conference play. They felt great after their 80-68 win at home over Louisiana State University Eunice on January 5th. They followed that up with an 80-64 road loss at National Park College to start conference play. SAU Tech was determined to create a new momentum that would extend throughout the season.
Despite the slow start, the Rockets found their way to fight back against a tenacious team in the University of Arkansas Cossatot Colts. The Rockets took a big momentum change as they took the lead late into the game. The Colts, however, got the last shift of momentum as SAU Tech lost a heartbreaker 75-74 at the last shot of the game.
The Rockets had a slow start to the game on both ends of the courts as they could not finish on plays. Head coach Marty Levinson called his team to focus on finding opportunities to stretch the ball throughout the court than try to force the ball into the basket. This strategy was more effective in the first half as SAU Tech took their first lead of the game with a 23-22 score with 4:21 left until halftime.
Rockets guard Allen Taylor was getting hot late in the first half as he got two free throws, a three-pointer, and a quick shot in three quick possessions. The Colts were also finding quick shots of their own as they took a 35-30 lead into halftime. Taylor led the Rockets in points accounted for with 11 points.
After halftime, the Colts went from attacking the paint to stretching out the wing. The Rockets went from multiple big-men defenders to playing small-ball to match the intensity and speed. The entire second half was close as the Rockets and the Colts traded buckets. The Colts rarely held onto a six-point lead as their defense collapsed multiple times.
The Rockets switched back to their big-men schemes as the Colts slowed down. SAU Tech took a 74-73 lead with 25.4 seconds left in the game as sophomore guard Montevious Dismukes was fouled hard going to the basket. Cossatot was able to get a tough layup to follow through with 10.6 seconds left in the game to take the 75-74 lead. The Rockets attempted to get a play off with .7 seconds left with a potential foul, but the refs did not agree there was not enough contact on the Rocket attempting the shot, thus ending the game.
Dismukes had a huge second quarter by scoring 19 points and leading the Rockets in overall points with 23. Allen Taylor scored 17 points, with 11 coming in the first half. Sophomore guard KJ Stewart and freshman guard Donovan Vickers each scored ten points for the Rockets.
The SAU Tech Rockets (7-10; 0-2 in conference play) drop their second game in a row as they start conference play with some heartbreaking performances. The Rockets will host Southeast Missouri Prep as they look to turn their season around with despite their efficient playmaking on both ends of the court.