The Scots will play fellow northeast Ohio school John Carroll University, thanks to David Gibbons’ old-fashioned three-point play with 4.9 seconds left which was the key shot in the Blue Streaks’ 76-74 win over Maryville (Tenn.) College, for the right to go the "Final Four" on Saturday night (7 p.m.) at Wooster.
In the nightcap of the doubleheader at Timken Gymnasium, Wooster (26-3) struggled to score in the opening half, putting up just 16 points – a season-low – on 7-of-27 shooting from the field (.259), including just 2-of-14 3-pointers (.143). Fortunately for the Scots, though, they played good enough defense to stay in it, trailing by just eight (24-16) at the break.
After missing its first field goal of the second half, another 3-point attempt, and then connecting on 1-of-2 free throws, Wooster exploded for the aforementioned 18 points during a 4:12 stretch.
Illinois Wesleyan (21-7) quieted most of the sellout crowd (3,400) with the next five points to retake the lead at 36-35 with 12 minutes left. Two possessions later, Tom Port made his third and final 3-pointer of the night for the Scots, who never trailed again.
The Titans did tie it right back up at 38-38, but Wooster then put together its second big run of the half, this time a 10-1 stretch, which included another 3-pointer by Mitchell.
The Scots appeared to be in firm control, stretching their lead out to 54-43 with just 1:12 remaining. However, Illinois Wesleyan’s Adam Dauksas made a 3-pointer, followed by a Wooster turnover and foul against the Titan press. Dauksas converted two from the charity stripe to make it 54-48 at the :32 mark.
Wooster missed the front end of a one-and-one on the ensuing possession and Dauksas quickly came down the floor and canned another trey to pull Illinois Wesleyan within one possession (54-51).
The Scots settled themselves, converting four free throws in as many attempts during the final :21, the first two coming from Kyle Witucky and then two by Mitchell.
Mitchell led all scorers with 19 points coming on 7-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-6 3-pointers. Witucky and Port each finished with three 3-pointers as well and 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Port played a complete game, also grabbing seven rebounds and six assists for team-highs.
Cory Jones used his inside quickness to pace the Titans with 15 points, while sharpshooting teammate Keelan Amelianovich made 4-of-6 3-pointers but missed his other six shots from the field en route to a 12-point night. Amelianovich, who scored just three of those points in the second half, added 10 rebounds for a double-double, and Dauksas’ late run gave him 11 points.
In the opener, John Carroll needed to make some big plays down the stretch to pull out the victory and make their third trip to the "Elite 8." The Blue Streaks had been ahead 66-56 around the seven-minute mark, but Maryville finally found its shooting touch during an 11-point run. The Scots had misfired on 17 of their first 18 3-point attempts, but made four of their last six, including one in that stretch.
Maryville (23-6) tied it up at 73-73 with :16 remaining in regulation before Gibbons grabbed a loose ball around the right elbow, drove to the basket, went up with it, and was fouled. The shot fell and he converted the 3-point play.
With 4.9 seconds left, John Carroll opted to foul the Scots in the backcourt, and did with 2.1 remaining. Raul Placeres made the first (76-74), missed the second on purpose, and time expired during a scramble for the rebound.
Gibbons had a game-high 17 points, while Brandon Mimes contributed a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Blue Streaks.
Placeres and Sidney Ellis each scored 16 points in the loss.
John Carroll and Wooster played in the second round of last season’s NCAA Tournament, also at Timken Gymnasium, with the Scots escaping with a 77-75 victory on a last-second shot by Mitchell. Wooster went on to its first-ever appearance in the "Final Four." The Blue Streaks are seeking their first.