Benson leads Oakland past Austin Peay in overtime, 78-70
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Senior Reggie Hamilton banked in a 3-pointer with 3.0 seconds left to send the game into overtime, and senior Keith Benson added another double-double with 22 points and a career-high 22 rebounds, to lead Oakland University (3-3) to a 78-70 overtime win over Austin Peay State University (3-4) on Saturday in the Chicago Invitational Challenge at the Sears Centre.
“Our bench really helped us win the game,” said OU coach Greg Kampe. “We got lucky when Reggie (Hamilton) banked in the three, but we won the game and that is all that matters.”
Benson finished with a career-high seven assists and six blocked shots to go with his points and rebounds. His 17 defensive boards set a new single-game school record as he played all 45 minutes. Benson was named to the all-tournament.
Senior Will Hudson tallied 21 points and nine rebounds, going 8-for-11 from the field, while Hamilton scored a season-high 20 points for the Golden Grizzlies.
APSU’s Tyshawn Edmondson led all scorers with 25 points. Anthony Campbell and Melvin Baker reached double figures for the Governors with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Austin Peay used a 16-2 run over a four-minute span in the first half to take an eight-point advantage, 16-8, with 12:49 remaining until halftime. The Golden Grizzlies rattled off seven straight points to tie the game at 28-28, but could not take the lead. The Governors’ Edmondson buried a 3-pointer after an Oakland turnover as the half closed with OU trailing by three, 35-32.
The Grizzlies committed two quick turnovers to start the second half and the Governors outscored OU 11-3 to take their largest lead of the game at 11, 46-35, with 16:54 remaining. Hudson and sophomore Ledrick Eackles responded for the Grizzlies with an 11-0 run and the game was tied at 46 with just under 11 minutes left in the game.
APSU would hold a slim advantage throughout the next eight minutes until Benson had a thunderous dunk, Hudson blocked a shot at the other end and Benson got a layup as Oakland went in front for the first time since early in the first half, 58-57 with three minutes left.
Oakland led by three with just over two minutes let until Edmondson buried a deep 3-pointer to tie the game at 62-62 with 1:40 on the game clock. Hamilton was fouled going to the basket, but was only able to make 1-of-2 free throws and the Governors rattled off four straight points to take a three-point lead, 66-63 with only 14 seconds left.
Senior Larry Wright was left open for three and was just off the mark in his try to tie the game, but Benson came up with a huge offensive rebound, kicked the ball out to Hamilton who proceeded to bank in a 3-pointer and send the game into overtime.
Hudson and Hamilton scored four straight points for the Golden Grizzlies and Benson converted on four straight free throws as Oakland was able to defeat the Governors in overtime. Benson posted four points, four rebounds, two blocked shots and two assists in the OT period.
OU will host Southern Utah on Dec. 2 for its home game of this season in a Summit League battle scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip inside the Athletics Center O’Rena.
Category: Oakland University
