Rio Grande Sports Information

 

RIO GRANDE — Travis Elliott canned a pair of free throws with 3.1 seconds remaining to lift the University of Rio Grande to a 78-77 win over rival Shawnee State University on Saturday in Mid-South Conference game.

The RedStorm, who won for the fourth straight time, improved to 11-5 overall and 4-1 in the MSC.

Shawnee State slipped to 7-9 overall and 1-4 in league play.

Elliott’s go-ahead free throws came on Rio’s ensuing possession after Shawnee State’s Mark Bryant had put the Bears in front by connecting on a jumper with 35.3 seconds remaining.

The free throws also gave the RedStorm the lead for good in a back-and-forth affair which featured a whopping 12 ties and 14 lead changes.

Shawnee State’s last gasp at winning on the game’s final possession went by the wayside when Bryant’s inbounds pass was knocked away by Rio Grande senior guard Ricky Tisdale and time expired.

Rio Grande shot 53.7 percent from the floor overall (29-for-54) to overcome three more turnovers than the Bears (12-9) and a 34-31 rebounding deficit.

Elliott, a junior guard from Ironton, had 13 points to lead 10 different scorers for the RedStorm. He also tied for team-high honors with four assists.