The Tabor College men’s and women’s basketball teams turned regular season misfortunes to postseason success this week, winning their Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference tournaments.
The Lady Jays finished the regular season third in the conference standings, losing twice to the top two teams, Southwestern College and Friends University.
Tied at 53 in the semifinals with Friends with more than 30 seconds remaining, Tabor missed its initial game-winning attempt. Nikki Lewis was able to grab the offensive rebound though, passing the ball to Janelle Rust, who knocked down a game-winning three with only seconds left to win 56-53.
Southwestern entered the championship matchup with Tabor unblemished in conference play, going 18-0 with a No. 8 national ranking.
The game was not much of a contest. Tabor overwhelmed the Moundbuilders with 41 first-half points, leading by 20 at halftime.
The Bluejays continued to build their lead in the second half, going on to an 85-51 victory.
The women play next in the NAIA Division 2 national tournament in Sioux City, Iowa.
The men also had to win games against teams they previously lost to in Friends and Sterling College.
The Bluejays began the tournament defeating the University of St. Mary 74-68 Thursday in the teams’ second meeting in a week.
Traveling next to Wichita, the Bluejays came out with its second win against the tournament’s top seed. Trailing 33-30 at halftime, Tabor took the lead in the first five minutes of the second half and never looked back. They built a 12-point lead, eventually winning 90-81.
The Bluejays had previously lost twice to championship opponent Sterling, and appeared to be doing the same Monday, trailing for a large part of the game.
Down three points in the waning seconds of the game, Nick Sauer made a deep three to send the game into overtime. After scoring the first five points in the extra period, the Bluejays cruised to a 97-90 victory.
The men automatically advance to the NAIA Division 2 tournament in Point Lookout, Mo. Schedules will be released later.
Men’s tennis drops two
Against Doane College Feb. 28, the men’s tennis team lost 8-1. Saturday at Concordia University the team lost 5-4.
The team next plays at home against Cowley College at 3 p.m. Wednesday, John Brown University Friday at 3 p.m., and Central Christian College at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Women’s tennis gets first win
Lady Jays tennis won its first game this season Saturday with a 6-3 victory against Concordia University. They lost 5-4 at Doane College Friday.
The women play the same upcoming schedule as the men’s team.
Baseball splits games in Oklahoma
The Tabor baseball team played two games last week, first losing Friday to Bacone College 1-0 in Sapulpa, Okla. In a rematch at Oklahoma City University Saturday, the Bluejays defeated the Stars 5-3. A matchup with Robert Morris College was canceled.
The Bluejays next play two doubleheaders against No. 6 York College Saturday and Sunday, both beginning at 1 p.m. Monday Tabor plays Hillsdale Free Will Baptist College at 1 p.m. and Southwestern Christian University at 3:30 p.m. in Oklahoma City.