Box Score

John Taylor scored 34 points as FPU stormed back from an 16-point second-half deficit to force overtime, before falling 82-81 to Colorado Mesa in their first ever NCAA Division II game at the Dixie State Classic in Utah.

The Sunbirds had a chance to win it on the final possession but after an attempt by Taylor rimmed out and Antonio Credit grabbed the offensive rebound, the Sunbirds had it stolen away before they could get a last-second shot off.

CMU, who was picked to finish third in the RMAC preseason poll behind two nationally-ranked teams, out-rebounded the Sunbirds 55-35 leading to a 17-4 advantage in second-chance points.

The Sunbirds built an 18-13 lead early on, but struggled to end the first half as the Mavericks outscored them 24-8 from that point to head into the locker room up 37-26. FPU suffered a misfortune in momentum in the first half as well when Credit was hit in the face resulting in what was originally called a technical foul.

Taylor went to the line and took one shot for FPU but then was called back as the Sunbirds were informed it was a flagrant foul and Credit needed to shoot the free throws. A technical foul was then called on the Sunbirds because Taylor had taken the free throw and the ball was incorrectly given to the Mavericks on the ensuing possesion.

The Sunbirds refused to get rattled though and came out firing in the second half. The team shot 63 percent in the second half, using a 26-10 run to come back from 16-down to tie it up 54-54 on a Malcolm Griffin three-pointer. Taylor gave the Sunbirds their first lead of the game a minute later, knocking down a three to put FPU ahead 57-56.

Taylor hit two free throws with 29 seconds left to tie the game and send it to overtime. FPU had some great chances in the overtime. With the game tied in the final minute Griffin made a great move on the CMU defender and drew contact, sinking a jumper on what appeared to be a potential three-point play. Griffin was called for traveling though and after an FPU foul the Mavericks hit one free-throw to go up 82-81.

The game's final possesion for FPU saw Taylor driving to the hoop and drawing all kinds of contact while putting up an off-balance shot. It rimmed out and Credit raced to get the rebound, throwing it back to the top of the key with four seconds left. Zach Kaul drove it inside but ran into a CMU defender and the ball rolled to another CMU player as time expired.

"The fact that we were able to come back from 16 down in the second half says a lot about the character of this team," said head coach Chris Wright. "We just can't afford to get beat on the glass like that and expect to win. We need to do better than 12-of-20 from the line as well and make free throws at critical times."

Mike Melillo led the Mavericks with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Landon Vermeer added 19 points off the bench and Colton Burgon finished with 16 points and 11 boards.

Taylor scored 26 of his 34 points in the second half and overtime. Griffin added 16 points for FPU and Credit finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

The Sunbirds continue the tournament tomorrow, taking on UC San Diego at 4:30 pm PST, 5:30 pm MST. UCSD fell 71-67 to host Dixie State tonight.