WINONA LAKE, Ind. (WTHR) - A pair of central Indiana natives played a major role in one of the most thrilling finishes to a basketball game you'll ever see.
Tipton High School grad Mason Degenkolb made two free throws with six seconds left to give Taylor University a three-point lead over Grace College in the opening game of the Crossroads League Tournament Wednesday night.
Grace senior Charlie Warner, a Westfield High School graduate, took the inbounds pass over midcourt and let a 40-plus-foot shot fly. As the game-tying basket rattled home with 1.6 seconds remaining, the Grace fans and broadcast crew erupted, figuring the game was headed for overtime.
But Degenkolb had other plans.
The senior guard caught the inbounds pass and heaved a three-quarter-court shot that found the bottom of the net to give the Trojans a thrilling 88-85 victory, avenging a pair of regular season losses to the Lancers.
All Angles of Mason Degenkolb's 3/4 Court Buzzer Beater at Grace in the CLT QuarterfinalsMason Degenkolb sinks the 3/4 court buzzer beater after Grace ties the game with a 3 pt shot!!!!
Posted by Taylor University Trojans on Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Degenkolb led all scorers in the game, as well, scoring 23 points. Warner led Grace with 19 points.
Taylor advances to host Bethel University on Saturday, while 13th-ranked Grace will turn its attention to the NAIA national tournament.
