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Ten straight points in a two-minute span late in Saturday's game was enough for Marygrove, as the Mustangs rallied to defeat Lourdes 72-68 at the Russell J. Ebeid Recreation Center.
 
The Gray Wolves led 63-60 with 3:39 to play before the Mustangs battled back.  Two free throws started the rally before back-to-back three-pointers on the next two possessions put the visitors in front for good.  After Lourdes forced a miss, Marygrove grabbed the offensive rebound, was fouled, and converted on both free throws to move in front by seven with 1:16 to play. 
 
Anthony Swanigan (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike H.S.) scored on the offensive end of the floor and was fouled, giving him a chance at a three-point play.  A free throw miss, one of 11 on the afternoon for the Gray Wolves, kept the game at five before Lourdes forced a Marygrove miscue as the shot clock ticked down.  The Gray Wolves were unable to convert on the offensive end of the floor though, forcing the hosts to foul in the closing seconds.
 

I was happy with our effort for the first time in several games," head coach Josh Gibson said afterwards.  "We played hard enough to win.  However, our execution down the stretch wasn't there and you have to credit Marygrove.  They hit some big shots when they needed to."
 
Lourdes built an early six-point lead, 19-13, after back-to-back triples by Swanigan and Evan Vasquez (Delta, Ohio/Delta H.S.).  Marygrove was never able to take the lead over the final 10 minutes of the first half, but pulled even on a three-pointer by Isaac Gillum as the period came to a close.
 
The second half went back-and-forth, with seven ties and nine lead changes over the final 20 minutes.  Neither team led by more than three until Najeeb Johnson (Cleveland Heights, Ohio/Cleveland Heights H.S.) scored inside with nine minutes to play to put the Gray Wolves on top 57-52.  The Mustangs stayed close though, before mounting their final run over the game's final four minutes.
 
Johnson led Lourdes with 15 points while Levert Bristol (Dothan, Ala./Northview H.S.) added 12 more.  Hamish Abbott (Melbourne, Australia/Rowville Secondary H.S.) chipped in 10 points, making his first appearance since Dec. 3 at Marygrove.
 
Lourdes shot 43.9% from the floor but was just 10-of-21 from the free throw line and was outrebounded by the Mustangs 39-29 for the night. 
 
T.K. Dixson led four Mustangs in double figures with 16 points while Angus Bennett added 12.  Nate Taylor came off of the bench to score eight points, grab 18 rebounds, and hand out seven assists.  Marygrove (5-17, 4-10 WHAC) shot 44.2% from the floor but committed 21 turnovers.
 
Lourdes (3-18, 2-12) will conclude its three-game homestand on Wednesday evening when the Gray Wolves host Concordia (Mich.).  Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at the Ebeid Rec Center.