Bearcats Fall In Another One-Possession Nailbiter At Crowley’s Ridge

PARAGOULD, Ark. – The Rust College men's basketball program has come painstakingly close to being on the right side of the scoreboard in its first two contests but has now fallen by back-to-back three-point margins in a 70-67 defeat to the Pioneers.

The Basics:

• Score
  • Crowley's Ridge – 70
  • Rust – 67

• Records
  • Rust (0-2, 0-0 Gulf Coast)
  • Crowley's Ridge (2-1, 0-0 Continental)

• Location
  • Paragould, Arkansas – Carter Activities Center

• Series History (Since 2017-18)
  • Rust Leads 2-1 (66.7%)

• Winning Streak (Since 2017-18)
  • Crowley's Ridge (W1) | Rust's Last Win: December 2, 2021 (100-80)

Rust Top Performers:

• Catthadious Moore did himself one-better after his 12-point, ten-rebound opening night, this time going for 15 points on 5-for-6 (83.3%) shooting while piling up 11 boards in addition to game-highs in both steals (5) and blocks (4) plus an assist for good measure.

• Christopher Hood led all scorers deep in the woods of northeast Arkansas, dropping a contest-best 18 points courtesy of a 6-of-12 (50%) night from the floor on top of a touchdown's worth of rebounds (7).

• Ronald Berkey was the third Bearcat in double-figures at 14 points which was helped by making all of his four free throws while Keron Bailey made the Cats' lone connection from distance, scoring seven points over nine minutes.

Notes:

• RC won a pair of statistical battles as they were the better team on the glass (37-31) and in limiting turnovers (16-13), but their struggles from behind the three-point line (1-of-8, 12.5%) ultimately bit them in the end.

Next:

• Head Coach Howard White Jr. and his men will host the Arkansas Baptist Buffaloes in the annual Dr. Ishmell Edwards Classic on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. as they continue their search for that elusive first triumph for their new leader.