HOUSTON,TX – University of St. Thomas men's basketball team fought hard in a thrilling NCAA Division III Second Round matchup but came up short in a 74-72 loss to Hardin-Simmons, marking the end of their 2024-25 season.
The game started with high intensity as both teams exchanged baskets early. Andrew Adebo ignited the Celts' offense with a layup, pushing UST to a 10-4 lead. Hardin-Simmons responded, cutting into the deficit and eventually tying the game at 12-12 with 11 minutes remaining in the half. Marion Williams' free throws briefly put the Celts ahead, 14-13, but the Cowboys reclaimed the lead at 20-16 before extending it to 23-16.
Momentum shifted when a technical foul on Head Coach Anthony Medina fired up the Celts, sparking a comeback. UST stormed back and took the lead at 27-26 with four minutes to go. In a back-and-forth final stretch, the teams entered halftime with UST narrowly ahead, 34-33.
The second half remained just as intense. Hardin-Simmons struck first, regaining the lead after an and-one layup put them up 44-40. UST fought back, with Reyce Allen converting a key basket to tie the game. A three-pointer from Marion Williams put the Celts back in front, 49-47, but the Cowboys answered immediately to retake the lead, 50-49.
With eight minutes remaining, Hardin-Simmons stretched their advantage to 55-50. The Celts refused to back down, as Adebo's scoring cut the deficit to 63-60, but the Cowboys responded with another three-pointer to go up 65-60. Angel Johnson kept the Celts in striking distance, scoring crucial points to make it 66-63. With 2:30 left, Johnson drove inside, drew a foul, and sank both free throws, bringing the game to 66-64.
In the closing moments, Hardin-Simmons held their lead, despite UST's relentless fight. The Cowboys edged ahead 74-72 at the final buzzer, ending the Celts' remarkable season.
Andrew Adebo led the Celts with a dominant 23-point, 9-rebound performance, going 15-of-16 from the free-throw line while also contributing 2 assists. Angel Johnson finished with 12 points, 4 steals, and 6 free throws, showcasing his ability to create opportunities. Reyce Allen made an impact off the bench, scoring 13 points and grabbing 4 rebounds, while Marion Williams added 5 points, including a key three-pointer. Nathan Kongolo chipped in 7 points and 3 rebounds, and Nicholas Buffalo contributed 8 points on an efficient 3-for-4 shooting night.
The Celts conclude their 2024-25 season, leaving everything on the court in their NCAA Tournament run.
