Hood’s Clutch Free Throws Lift Bearcats Past Tigers For First Time In Program History

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Rust College men's basketball program survived 18 lead changes and 11 ties to outlast Stillman College as Christopher Hood calmly nailed a pair of free throws with ten seconds left while the Tigers missed not one, but two potential game-tying and winning shots as RC held on for a 90-88 triumph.

The two hardcourt hoops squads had battled 15 times since 2015-16 prior to Tuesday night and the Bearcats had endured losses in each of those, but the streak was shattered in dramatic fashion in Tuscaloosa.

The Basics: 

• Score
• • Rust – 90
  • Stillman – 88

• Records
• • Rust (4-4, 1-1 Gulf Coast)
  • Stillman (6-5, 3-1 Southern States)

• Location
• • Tuscaloosa, Alabama – Birthright Alumni Hall

• Series History (Since 2015-16)
• • Stillman Leads 15-1 (6.3%)

• Winning Streak (Since 2015-16)
• • Rust (W1) | Stillman's Last Win: November 13, 2023 (80-73)

Rust Top Performers: 

• Khalil Brown put together an offensive clinic in the crimson shadow of the University of Alabama down the street, dropping a 29-point bomb on the Tigers in addition to six rebounds, two steals, and an assist, making all four of his long-distance calls and 10-for-17 (58.8%) in total.

• In his first time seeing action this season, Jordin Jackson showed out in his own right, putting a 20-burger on the scoreboard on top of a Bearcat-best two assists, spending all 40 minutes on the floor en route to a 57.1% field goal percentage and a trio of three-pointers.

• Xavier Evans put in all of his work in the paint, cashing in 66.7% of his shots from inside as he racked up 20 points on ten buckets while tying Brown for the boards crown (6).

• Hood proved to all in attendance that he possesses ice in his veins by sinking the game-clinchers from the charity stripe, but he also contributed outside of the home stretch, tallying 13 points throughout.

Notes:

• The men posted video game-like numbers, making 58.1% of their shots (36-of-62) and 41.2% (7-for-17) from deep as three different student-athletes produced 20-plus points.

Next:

• Now that the Cats are back to the .500 mark, they will look to rise above it for the first time under Coach White on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. vs. Dillard in NOLA.