By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information

Toledo, Ohio---Five players scored in double figures, and the Owens Community College men's basketball team hit several clutch free throws late to pull out a 95-87 win over Columbus State Community College at home today.

With the win, Owens improved to 9-9 overall and 2-2 in Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) play.

Columbus State trailed by just two with 18 seconds left following a 3-pointer from Chris Byrd. On the ensuing inbounds pass, Xavier Cochran (Huron/Ann Arbor, Mich.) was fouled and made both his free throws. Following the play, however, Columbus State was whistled for a technical foul. Then, during a timeout, another technical foul was called. Cochran made 2-for-4 from the line following the technicals to push the lead to six.

Kenneth Moore hit a driving layup to cut Columbus State's deficit to four, but it would be the final points for his team, while Cochran made 4-for-4 from the foul line following that to seal the game.

The two teams combined for 24 points in the final 2:44 after the game's 11th tie at 79 apiece.

Brian Walker (Huron/Ypsilanti, Mich.), who converted a 3-point play following a layup in the final minute to give Owens an 86-82 lead, led all scorers with 21 points, while adding a team-high seven rebounds.

Ty'Rese Searles (Cornerstone/Pontiac, Mich.) added 19 points, three assists and two steals, while Cochran totaled 18 points, four rebounds and a team-high four steals. He went 13-for-16 from the foul line, including an 8-for-10 finish in the game's final 15 seconds.

Early on, both teams went back and forth over the first five minutes. Then, Owens went on a 10-0 run as Dilyn Good (Springfield/Holland, Ohio) hit a pair of jumpers, and Dae'Shawn Jackson (Springfield/Springfield, Ohio) capped it with a layup to give Owens a 19-9 lead with 10:37 left in the half.

Moments later, Owens stretched their lead to 12 on two occasions, the second coming following a 3-pointer from Jackson with 8:32 left. It would be their largest lead of the game. 

With 4:27 left, Owens led 32-25, but Columbus State picked up steals on three straight possessions and completed a 7-0 run over a 28 second stretch to tie the game. Following that, the visitors continued their run, led by six late in the half and took a 46-41 lead into the break.

In the first half, Columbus State outscored Owens 20-8 in points off turnovers and 13-2 in second chance points.

Owens trimmed its deficit several times over the first seven minutes of the second half, but Columbus State led 58-52 with 12:51 left. Jackson converted a layup, and Walker followed with a 3-pointer and a jumper to complete a 7-1 run that tied the game at 59 apiece with 10:39 left.

The teams exchanged baskets following that, which included Derrik Jamerson Jr.'s (Cornerstone/Pontiac, Mich.) first 3-pointer of the game, before Owens went on a 5-0 run that included a 3-pointer from Roy Hatchett Jr. (Glenville/Cleveland, Ohio) and a pair of free throws from Searles to take a 71-66 lead.

Columbus State responded with a 6-0 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Donte Smith, to take a 72-71 lead with 5:13 left. Following that, neither team led by more than two points until the final three minutes.

Jackson totaled 14 points, six rebounds, a game-high eight assists, two blocks and two steals. He finished 5-for-8 from the field. Hatchett Jr. was the fifth Owens player in double figures with 10, while also chipping in four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

In the second half, Columbus State outscored Owens 11-4 in second chance points, but Owens responded with an 11-6 advantage in points off turnovers. After 11 turnovers in the first half, Owens only turned it over four times in the second half and outscored Columbus State 54-41.

The game featured 11 ties and 10 lead changes. One big key in the game came in field goal percentage. Each team made 30 field goals, but Columbus State attempted 23 more. Owens also made 29-for-35 at the foul line.

Columbus State (10-4 overall, 2-2 in OCCAC play) was led by Rodney Willis, who had 16 points, 11 rebounds and three assists. Byrd also had 16 points, while Moore (12), Williams (11) and Lamarr Barnes (10) also scored in double figures. Moore had a game-high five steals.

Owens will be back in action on Wednesday with a conference matchup on the road at Edison Community College at 7:30 p.m.

Notes

Walker averaged 19.5 points and nine rebounds over two games this week. Today's point total was a season-high for the freshman forward.

Cochran fell two points short of his fourth 20 point game over the past six contests. Instead, he settled for his eighth straight double digit scoring game.

Jackson's 14 point game is a season-high for the freshman point guard. It is his fourth double digit scoring game of the season, and his eight assists is also a season-high. He is averaging over five assists per game over the past five contests.

Searles reached double digits in scoring for the seventh straight time and for the 12th time in the past 13 games. The 19 point output was his fourth highest of the season.

Hatchett notched his third double digit scoring game of the season today. It was his first since Dec. 5 at Schoolcraft College.