COLUMBIA, Ky. – The Lindsey Wilson men's basketball team came up short in a 74-69 loss to Ohio Christian on Tuesday evening inside Biggers Sports Center.
The Blue Raiders (13-6) had four players score in double figures, led by
Kenyata Carbon's 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists.
Mihail Gavazov and
Victory Naboya each added 11 points, while
Olson Nicholson chipped in 10.
Esteban Oliveras came off the bench to score nine, and
Julian Cunningham finished with eight.
Lindsey Wilson started strong, jumping out to a 7-0 lead behind baskets from Naboya and Nicholson, followed by a three-pointer from Cunningham. The Blue Raiders continued to roll early as Carbon converted inside to make it 11-3. The offense stayed hot throughout the first half, with
DJ Gordon and Naboya connecting from deep and Oliveras adding two more threes to keep momentum on the home side.
Nicholson remained active in the paint, scoring several times to extend the lead before Oliveras hit three free throws late in the half. Cunningham drilled a deep three in the final seconds to send Lindsey Wilson into halftime ahead 44-37.
Ohio Christian opened the second half with a quick surge as Caleb Schmelzer and Parker Penrod led a 9-2 run to close the gap. Naboya answered with a dunk off a pass from Carbon, and Gavazov's jumper pushed the lead back to five. But the Trailblazers continued to chip away, tying the game at 48 with 15 minutes left.
Carbon's three-pointer midway through the half gave Lindsey Wilson a 59-56 edge, but Ohio Christian finished strong. The Trailblazers took their first lead of the period with under three minutes remaining and closed the game at the free-throw line to secure the 74-69 win.
As a team, Lindsey Wilson shot 45.9 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from three while holding a 33-28 rebound advantage.
The Blue Raiders return to Mid-South Conference play on Saturday, January 24, when they travel to face No. 18 Georgetown (Ky.) at 2 p.m. CT.
