Muskies secure clutch last-second win over Wooster

Behind senior Noah Tomlinson's career-high 17 points, the Muskingum men's basketball team secured a clutch 68-66 victory over Wooster.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (3-8), Wooster (8-3)
• Location: Scot Center – Wooster, OH
• Attendance: 523

Notables

• Senior Alex Masinelli was named MVP of the 58^th Annual E.M. "Mose" Hole/ Wooster Kiwanis Club Tournament. Masinelli recorded the second-most points in a single game in tournament history with 43 vs. Lynchburg on Wednesday, and finished the tournament averaging 28 points per game.
• Freshman Alex Coffey was also named to the All-Tournament team after registering 12 points vs. Lynchburg, and 11 points in the Muskies' win over Wooster.

How it Happened

• After both teams struggled to find consistent offense early on, it was Wooster who opened up a 15-10 lead with 11 minutes left in the opening half.
• However, Muskingum would weather the Wooster run with a quick 10-0 run of their own and grab a 25-15 lead with 5:30 remaining until halftime.
• With under five minutes until the break, the Muskies would push their lead all the way to 12, but Wooster closed the half on an 8-2 run to make the score 31-25 at halftime.
• The second half featured both teams struggling to find momentum early, but the Muskies would find their groove and open up a 41-30 lead with 14 minutes remaining.
• However, Wooster would proceed to go on an 11-0 run to tie the ballgame at 41 apiece with 10:30 left.
• After both teams traded buckets down the stretch, Muskingum was able to open up a 57-49 lead with 5:30 remaining in the game.
• Wooster would cut the Muskie lead down to two on multiple occasions, but it wasn't enough as Muskingum secured the clutch 68-66 win.

Inside the Numbers

• The Muskies were led by senior Noah Tomlinson who tallied a career-high 17 points and a career-high tying nine rebounds.
• Senior Alex Masinelli also got into double-figures with 13 points. Masinelli also registered seven rebounds and six assists for the Muskies.
• Freshman DJ Donnell also tallied a career-high 11 points, while freshman Alex Coffey registered 10 points.
• Wooster was led by Jamir Billings who totaled 17 points.
• Muskingum finished the day shooting 27-of-66 (40.9%) from the field, while Wooster went 22-of-58 (37.9%) from the floor.
• The Muskies shot 7-of-21 (33.3%) from three, while Wooster went 9-of-25 (36%) from behind the arc.
• Wooster won the rebounding battle 39-37, while Muskingum dished out 16 assists compared to 11 for the Fighting Scots.

Up Next

• The Muskies will next host Marietta in OAC-action on Wednesday, January 5 inside the Anne C. Steele Center. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.