Reivers Outlast Iowa Central in 3 OT

Reivers Outlast Iowa Central in 3 OT
January 6, 2025

The Iowa Western Reivers men's basketball won their 5th consecutive contest with a 112-108 triple OT victory over the Iowa Central Tritons. An incredible back and forth performance saw both teams trade leads throughout the contest. Champ Calamese fell two points shy of the school record for points in a game, ending with 40 points. Calamese was able to score at the rim at will during the game as he finished 12 of 18 from the floor and 15 of 17 from the free-throw line.

At the end of regulation Champ Calamese converted on two free-throws to tie up the contest. On the ensuing possession the Tritons held for the final shot but missed sending the game to the first over time. The Tritons also had the last chance to win in the 1st overtime period as the Tritons tipped in a missed field goal, but basket was waived off by officials and the two teams headed to a second overtime.

In the second overtime the Tritons nearly pulled away from the Reivers as they led 94-88 with just 3:00 left in the game. The Reivers chipped away and Daleron Thomas nailed a huge 3-pointer for Iowa Western when they trailed by 4 points to cut the lead to just 1. Muhammed Edunjobi scored a big basket with 32 seconds to give the Reivers a 2 point lead. Jordan Cain would make 1 of two free throws, and Jadon Cool rebounded the missed free-throw, sending Cool to the line with a 1 point lead with 13.5 seconds remaining. Cool would make the first, but miss the second free-throw. After a Triton timeout Jordan Cain converted at the basket to send the game to a 3rd overtime.

With under a minute remaining in the 3rd overtime Calamese broke the tie with 2 free-throws giving Iowa Western a 108-106 advantage. The Reivers would get a defensive stop on the ensuing possession, and Janiveon Guyton got the rebound and was fouled. Guyton connected on both free-throws giving the Reivers a 110-106 lead. The Reivers would go on to close out the game 112-108.

The Reivers will now hit the road for a pair of road contests. First, the Reivers will travel to Iowa Falls for a matchup with #9 Ellsworth Community College on Wednesday night. Next Saturday the Reivers will travel to Mason City for a game with NIACC.

The Reivers are now 12-4 on the season, and 5-1 in ICCAC play.