Baquero, who didn't miss a shot in six attempts, drove the lane and threw up a runner, just beating the shot clock, to give Carleton a 56-55 lead with 39 seconds left. Dan Forkrud converted on two free throws with 23 seconds left and Carleton dodged a potential game-tying jumper by St. Olaf's Ted Gonsior at the horn to complete the season sweep of the Oles.
The sweep gave Carleton possession of the infamous Goat Trophy, which St. Olaf took with a pair of overtime victories last season. Before last season, the Knights held the Goat Trophy for 14 seasons. The team that doesn't have possession of the 90-year old trophy must sweep the other team to gain it back.
Tanner Schieck scored 17 points for Carleton (12-6, 9-4 MIAC) and Forkrud added 15 points, nine rebound, five assists and four steals.
Jon Butala paced the Oles (6-13, 3-11 MIAC) with 15 points, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. Matt Schlenker tallied 11 points and 10 rebounds and Nate Lund added 11 points and 13 rebounds.
The final five minutes of the game were thrilling. Baquero drained consecutive three-pointers and Jake Phillips added a jumper, giving Carleton a 52-47 lead. Forkrud stole the ball from Butala and dunked it home on the other end and it looked like Carleton wold coast to the win. Butala, however, had other ideas as he drained a three, was fouled on a triple and made all three free throws and Gonsior hit a baseline jumper and the Oles suddenly led, 55-54, with 80 seconds left.
Enter Baquero, doing his best Superman impression. With the shot clock at four seconds, he took the ball from the left wing, split the St. Olaf defense, and hit a rainbow shot as the 35-second clock expired, giving Carleton the lead back at 56-55 with 39 seconds left. The Knights forced a Butala miss on the other end, and Forkrud rebounded and was fouled. He converted on both, giving Carleton a three-point advantage. Schlenker made a lay-up at the other end with nine seconds remaining and Carleton's Phillips made one of two free throws to give Carleton a 59-57 lead. Gonsior had a chance to tie the game at the horn, but his 17-foot jumper from the left wing was short, giving Carleton the victory.
The game was close throughout with 10 lead changes and six ties. The Oles bolted to an early 15-8 lead, but Carleton held the Oles to one field goal, a Butala triple, in the final 6:14 of the half, but the Oles still led at the break, 25-23. Carleton broke out to a 41-36 lead eight minutes into the second half, but the Oles answered with a 9-3 spurt, setting up the final, frenetic, five minutes.
Carleton returns to action on Monday, Feb. 2, travelling to Macalester College for a 7:30 p.m. contest. The game can be heard live on KYMN 1080 AM.