Blackburn Men's Basketball defeated Spalding University with a score of 69 to 61 in overtime on Thursday, March 18th in Carlinville.  The Beavers outscored the Golden Eagles ten to two in overtime. The game did not count towards the conference record because it was a rescheduled game. The game was supposed to be played on March 6th. 

With this win Blackburn has won four in a row and back-to-back overtime games. Blackburn was able to out rebound and caused Spalding into 15 turnovers during the game. Blackburn out shot Spalding by 28 percent from the free throw line.

This five and one start is the best start since the 2017-2018 season for Blackburn. Blackburn currently sits second in conference five and one overall and four and one in conference play. The four and one start in conference play has not been done since the 2016-2017 season. 

Blackburn came to play as they outscored Spalding 12 to two to start the game. The Beavers held the Golden Eagles to nine percent as they shot one of 11 until Jadon Lamb scored a lay-up to cut the lead to eight. This would get Spalding going as they went on a 13 to six run to cut the lead to just three. With 3:34 Freshman Payton Krager connected on a free thow to bring the score 27 to 18 to give the Beavers an eight point lead. The Golden Eagles would not go away as they went on a seven to zero run to cut the lead to just one. Lamb brought a lot of energy off the bench as he scored four of the seven points and also came up with a steal to start the run. Chanz Aldridge hits a free throw to bring the lead to 28 to 26 with 1:02 in the half. Lamb connects with a three to give Spalding their first lead of the game with 39 seconds left. Ultimately that would be the last score of the half and Spalding would head into halftime with a one point lead. The Golden Eagles out-shot Blackburn from the floor 35.5 percent to 29.6 percent for the half.

Halftime Leaders:

Spalding

Lamb- 11 points, 5 of 5 from the floor, 2 steals, 1 assist

Troy Amanor- 4 points, 2 rebounds 

Blackburn

Christain Wagner- 8 points, 3 rebounds

Bryson Kirby- 6 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists

In the second half Spalding outshot the Beavers from the floor 48 percent to Blackburn's 33 percent. Also outshot Blackburn from three point land 33 percent to 23 percent. The difference was Blackburn made two more threes and one more free throw. 

Spalding began the half on a nine to three run to extend their lead to seven. This would be the biggest lead the Golden Eagles would have during the game. After a few shots Blackburn cut the lead to four with 12:20 left in the half. Spalding would get the lead back up to six before freshman forward Jarrius Burnett connected on a three to cut the lead to three with 10:06 left. With 8:40 Blackburn took their first lead since the first half thanks to a lay-up from Javon Stovall. The lead was short lived as Spalding made a few shots to take a five point lead with just 3:43 left. Aldridge scored a lay-up to cut the lead 55 to 54 with 1:40 on the clock. Lamb made a lay-up to extend the lead to three with 1:25 left. Stovall willed his way to the basket to score a lay-up and bring the game within one point. Lamb once again tried to keep the Beavers from winning as he scored another lay-up to bring the lead back to three. With 47 seconds left Aldridge tried a three to tie the game but was unable to connect. Spalding guard Marcus Montgomery would rebound the missed three and call a time-out. Out of the time out the Golden Eagles were unable to get the ball inbounded and were whistled for a five-second call. Blackburn would again have another chance to tie. With 28 seconds left Kirby missed a three, but Burentt would get the rebound and that would lead to two clean looks for Stovall to cut the lead to one, but he missed both. With 18 seconds left Spalding was at the free throw line to end the game, but Lamb missed  and Kirby was there for one of his 14 rebounds. Blackburn would call a timeout for coach Austin Kirby to "draw up a play" to send the game to overtime. With eight seconds left Aldrige shoots a three to tie and is fouled by Montgomery. Aldrige has been in this position before as last game he connected on a three to send the game into overtime. Aldriged connected to all three free throws to extend the game. Heading into overtime the game was tied 59 all. 

In overtime Blackburn was led by Burnett and Aldridge Both scoring five points each and both connecting on a three. Blackburn would hold Spalding to zero of five from the floor in overtime. 

Game Highs:

Blackburn

Aldridge 19 points, 4 of 4 FT, 4 rebounds, 4 assists

Kirby 10 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals

Wagner 11 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists

Spalding

Montgomery 17 points, 5 rebounds

Lamb 17 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists

Kirby has been filling up the stat sheet averaging 9.5 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three steals the last two games. 

UP NEXT: Blackburn travels to Greenville for a 7:30 tip-off on Tuesday March 23rd.