NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Mid-Atlantic Christian forward Stewart Clough drained a 3-point shot at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, then teammate Keith Shakes, Jr. scored eight of the Mustangs’ 14 points in the bonus period to lead MACU to an 81-76 win over Apprentice Monday night.

The visitors jumped out to an 8-0 lead early before the Builders were able to get on the scoreboard. MACU (13-11 overall, 6-1 NSAC) led all but 1:47 of the first half to take a 28-26 lead into intermission.

Apprentice (14-5, 5-2) held most of the momentum out of the halftime break after Donovan Means hit a three right at the end of the first half, but the Mustangs never went away, answering every Builder run. AS led by as many as nine in the second half and led by three with eight seconds left when Clough hit a three from the left wing as time expired in regulation to force overtime, tied at 67-67.

In the extra period, MACU took the momentum and burst out to a 74-69 lead. Apprentice tied the game up moments later at 74-74 before a 7-2 run for MACU sealed the deal.

“We needed this,” said Mustangs coach Charles Sims. “This was a total team effort. All the players left it on the floor tonight. Their effort was incredible tonight. We stayed focused and achieved what we needed to accomplish. Our team free throws during the overtime was the difference.”

Shakes led the Herd with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Clough followed with 14 and eight, respectively. Keondre Rodgers and Tyus Williams had 11 points apiece.

The Builders were led by Donovan Means with 23 points.

Much like last week’s contest between the two rivals in Elizabeth City, this one saw nine ties and 10 lead changes. AS came out on top in the February 12 game, 74-66.

The game marked the first win ever by the Mustangs over the Builders in Newport News and ends a 10-game losing streak in the series.

With the win, MACU clinches finishing no lower than third in the NSAC standings with one conference game remaining against Central International next Monday, February 24. The Mustangs could move up to second if either John Melvin (FL) or Lighthouse sweep their two-game series to be played this week. Apprentice has locked up fourth place.

Thanks to Walker McCrary at Apprentice Athletics for his help with this story. Image courtesy MACU Athletics.