Published: November 14, 2009 01:08 am      

Ashford pulls out late win in men's basketball

Herald Staff Report

SIOUX CITY — Daniel Joiner put Ashford ahead on a layup with 7 seconds remaining and added a free throw 5 seconds later as the Saints rallied to beat Mount Marty 62-60 in men’s basketball Friday night at the Briar Cliff University Catholic Classic.

Joiner finished with 12 points, joining teammates Matthias Burns (14 points) and Byron Emerson (13) in double digits for the Saints.

Ashford (4-1) will face Briar Cliff at 4 p.m. today.

Ashford trailed much of the first half and was behind 32-28 at halftime. Mount Marty (0-4), which led by as many as eight in the first half, pushed its lead to 40-30 on a 3-point basket by Weston Kusser with 15 minutes, 32 seconds left in the second half.

Ashford roared back in the next 2:00. A pair of free throws by Peter Tanzillo, a 3-point basket by Emerson and a pair of baskets by Burns cut the gap to 40-39 with 13:32 remaining. A 3-pointer by Burns with 12:50 left gave the Saints their first lead since early in the game.

Ashford pushed its lead to as many as eight points, 57-49, when Mike Relerford hit a 3-pointer with 5:18 left.

But Mount Marty then battled back. It pulled even at 59-59 on a basket by Dan Harmon with 1:31 left, then went on top 60-59 when Kusser made a free throw with 40 seconds left.

Neither team scored again until Joiner’s go-ahead basket.

Jared Wall led Mount Marty with 15 points and seven rebounds. Relerford had team highs with six rebounds and six assists for Ashford.