The Crusaders shot just 24 per cent in the first half and trailed by as many as 15 points in the opening stanza. UMHB fought back in the second half and cut the lead to 49-48 on Ryan Burgart’s dunk with 19 seconds left to play. Habeeb Kareem hit one of two free throws for Ozarks with eight seconds left to make it 50-48. UMHB then had a chance to win the game, but Justin Schwartz’s three-pointer rimmed out at the buzzer.
Brandon Gatlin led UMHB with 18 points and Patrick Oliver had 14 points. Kareem led Ozarks with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Brad Johnson and David Hamilton added 10 points apiece for the Eagles.
The UMHB men will return to action with a 7:30 PM tip-off at Austin College in Sherman on Monday evening. The Crusaders will then play their home opener on Thursday, December 1st, when Louisiana College comes to the Mayborn Campus Center for a 7:30 PM start.