by Doane Men’s Basketball was able to snap a six-game skid on Saturday as they knocked off Briar Cliff University in GPAC action, 81-71. The win was also the first in conference action after a couple of tough close losses in the past week.
Doane led the majority of the game, holding the advantage for 33-plus minutes of game time. The Tigers built a lead of six points, 19-13, with 12:10 to play in the opening half and maintained a one or two possession lead until BCU was able to tie the game at 27-all with 5:52 to play in the half. Doane regained the lead on two free throws by Jaxon Harre (JR/Omaha, Neb.), however, the Chargers went on an 8-0 run to take a six-point advantage, 35-29.
Back-to-back 3-point baskets from Joe Burt (SO/Lincoln, Neb.) and Anthony Laravie (JR/Omaha Nation) tied the game and the Tigers regained the lead on a put-back by Joe Cox (JR/Aurora, Colo.). Doane led 45-41 at the half as Laravie paced the squad with 14 points. The Tigers held an 11-2 advantage in points off turnovers and 7-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Key to the Tigers’ second half success was a quick start to open the half. Miguel Lopez (JR/St. Croix, US Virgin Islands) scored on back-to-back possessions and Garran Pauli (SR/Omaha, Neb.) scored on the third possession of the half to extend the lead to 51-43. Doane was able to push the lead into double figures with 6:53 to play following a pair of layups from Zach Witters (JR/Lenexa, Kan.) to extend the lead to 69-58. The largest lead of the half came with 3:00 left as Harre made a free throw for a 16-point advantage.
At the 11:28 mark in the second half, Laravie knocked down a 3-point basket for his 1,000th career point in his 75th game. He is the 39th player in program history to reach the milestone. Additionally, he posted a double-double in the game with 10 rebounds while adding six assists.
Burt finished with 15 points and Pauli added 10 points and seven rebounds. The Tigers shot 46-percent for the game, 39-percent behind the arc, and 61-percent at the free throw line.
Briar Cliff received 17 points from Jackson Lamb and 13 points from Austin Roetman. The Chargers shot 43-percent for the game, 39-percent from behind the arc, and 63-percent at the free throw line.
Anthony Laravie scored his 1,000th career point on Saturday
