Wilcoxson's buzzer-beater extends win streak to 7

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — When Morningside called timeout with three seconds remaining Wednesday against the University of the Virgin Islands, Alex Wilcoxson never felt rattled.

Wilcoxson had shot just under 50 percent to that point, but his final attempt was the one that mattered. The sophomore drove the right baseline and scored as time expired, lifting Morningside to a 66-65 win in the Seahawks Christmas Classic, hosted by Keiser University.

"Everybody kept telling me to keep shooting," Wilcoxson said in a phone interview. "That was just awesome and reassuring. I play this game for one reason only, and that's for Jesus Christ, and glory to Him for giving us the win."

Morningside had to inbound the ball in front of the Buccaneers' bench with three seconds left. Kaden Van Regenmorter, a former high school quarterback at Western Christian, delivered the inbound to Tyson Odvody on the right wing.

Wilcoxson sprinted from near half court, took the flip pass from Odvody and attacked the right baseline, finishing at the rim as the horn sounded.

"I wanted to make a play for my team," Wilcoxson said. "Once I saw Coach (Trent) Miller draw it up, I settled in and got into the moment."

Wilcoxson finished with 19 points, scoring most of them in the paint, and went 4-for-4 at the free-throw line.

"We thought if Tyson caught it and drew a couple defenders, there might be an opportunity," Miller said. "Alex had the presence of mind to attack the rim instead of settling for a deep shot. We trusted him to make that play."

Morningside shot 48 percent from the field but did not make a 3-pointer in the second half. To offset that, the Mustangs attacked the basket, getting to the free-throw line 16 times and converting 11.

At halftime, Miller challenged his team to rebound more effectively, and the Mustangs responded. Morningside allowed just one offensive rebound over the final 20 minutes, and all eight players who saw action recorded at least one rebound.

"We found ways to finish possessions," Miller said.

The Mustangs also took better care of the ball after the break, committing just five turnovers in the second half and 12 overall.

Caleb Dreckman led Morningside with 20 points, while Fitzy Grant added eight off the bench.