Much like Mississippi Valley State and Iona in the NCAA Tournament, the Omaha Racers dropped two winnable games this week.
With a chance to spring an upset against first-place Illusion
(42762932), the Racers couldn't protect a 4-point lead with 11 seconds to go. Illusion's Christian Berger
(7928051) hit a three-point shot, Omaha's star Abel Daniels
(16436728) hit only one of two free throws, then Silvis Ruks
(10499759) desperation drive to the basket tied the game.
In the first overtime, Omaha was up 3 with 7 seconds to go, but Ruks' three-pointer sent it to a second overtime. Ramon Miner
(9208334) had a chance to win it, but missed his long-range shot.
In double overtime, Willy Ayala
(8892191) got an offensive rebound and putback to tie the game again, with one second to go. Again, a missed free throw gave Illusion the chance to tie it with a two: this time Benajmin Desmons
(17985275) failed to convert.
Triple OT was no contest as The Illusion ripped off the first 17 points.
In Omaha's next game, against the last-place Los Angeles Field Runners
(42762939), Abel Daniels missed a jump shot that could have won the game in regulation.
In overtime, the Racers clung to a 100-99 lead from two minutes before Warren Wall
(11776088) scored. Desmons and Bernard Kawski
(8218837) each missed shots that would have given Omaha the lead back.
The losses leave Omaha at 2-9, and in seventh place. With the team fighting valiantly to remain in Division III, these two missed opportunities could cost dearly.