CANTON, Mo. — The Culver-Stockton College men's basketball program overcame a 10-point second deficit to post a 73-71 victory over Baker University and clinch a postseason berth for the first time since 2018-19 Saturday afternoon at Charles Field House.

After falling behind 58-48 with 9:16 to play in the second half, the Wildcats answered with a 10-2 run over the next three minutes to make the final six minutes of the game interesting to say the least.

The Wildcats was able to stay within striking distance and then the C-SC defense held the visitors scoreless over the final 2:22 of regulation after Baker's Noah Rigatuso made two free throws to up the visitor lead to 71-66.

Two free  throws by Connor Davis and a steal and two more free throws by Gabe Cox brought the Wildcats to within 71-70 with 1:39 to play.

Cox forced his second straight turnover and steal on the ensuing possession and the Wildcats called timeou with 68 seconds remaining. and C-SC still trailing by a point.

Seth Larson missed a fade away on the left baseline and Baker grabbed the rebound with 53 seconds left. 

Baker third it over a third straight time with 27 seconds left and the Wildcats took advantage as Robert Fry II was fouled driving the basket with 19 ticks left.

Fry, who had missed four of his first six free throw attempts in the game, drained both free tosses to give C-SC a 72-71 lead.

Baker called timeout with 15 seconds left to set up a play. That play turned out to be a jump shot by Nick Whittick, who missed and C-SC's Seth Larson grabbed the rebound and was fouled with five seconds left. Larson made the second of two free throws give the Wildcats a two-point advantage.

Out of timeouts, Whittick took the inbounds pass and raced the length of the floor and put up a short runner that hit the side of the rim and bounced away as the horn sounded.

Davis led the Wildcat offense with 18 points while Larson registered a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

The victory guarantees the Wildcats, who are in a fifth place tie with Peru State in the Heart of America Athletic Conference with a 12-10 league mark, a top eight finish in the conference for the first time in five years. C-SC (14-12) is scheduled to play its final two games on the road beginning Wednesday at Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

GAME NOTES:

• The Wildcats finish the season with a 10-4 home record at Charles Field House, including finishing with a four-game winning streak.
• The double-double by Larson was his fourth of the season and the sixth of his career.
• The Wildcats held a 20-7 advantage on made free throws in the game.
• C-SC improved to 3-10 this season when trailing at the half. The Wildcats trailed 35-33 after the first 20 minutes.