Stallions Stampede to Overtime Victory Over Jarvis Christian
Thomas, Malik, and Fry Lead the Way in Gritty Conference Clash
In a thrilling showcase of heart, hustle, and determination, the North American University Stallions edged the Jarvis Christian Bulldogs 74-66 in overtime on January 4, 2025. The action-packed game, played at the E.W. Rand Center, kept fans on the edge of their seats as both teams exchanged blows before the Stallions delivered the knockout punch in the extra period.
First Half: Neck-and-Neck Battle
From the opening tip, it was clear this was going to be a battle of wills. The Stallions leaned on their inside-out approach, with Damione Thomas setting the tone early. Thomas scored 10 of his game-high 20 points in the first half, using his size and footwork to dominate the paint.
Jarvis Christian countered with a balanced attack, led by George Nwogu, who chipped in 8 first-half points and grabbed 5 rebounds. The Bulldogs were relentless in crashing the boards, outrebounding the Stallions 21-18 in the opening 20 minutes.
Despite being down by as many as 7 points, the Stallions clawed their way back, closing the half on a 9-2 run to trail by just one point, 37-36.
Second Half: Trading Punches
The second half was a mirror image of the first, as both teams continued their back-and-forth battle. While the Bulldogs leaned on their perimeter players, the Stallions found success with their defensive intensity, forcing turnovers that led to easy transition buckets.
Caleb Malik came alive in the second half, scoring 12 of his 17 points, including a key three-pointer that ignited the Stallions' offense midway through the period. Malik also snagged 5 of his 11 rebounds during this stretch, including 2 crucial offensive boards that kept possessions alive.
With time winding down and the score tied at 61, the Stallions had a chance to win it in regulation, but a contested three-point attempt by Sean Fry rimmed out, sending the game into overtime.
Overtime: The Stallions Take Control
Overtime belonged to North American, as they outscored Jarvis Christian 13-5 in the extra frame. The Stallions tightened up defensively, holding the Bulldogs to just 1-of-6 shooting in overtime.
- Damione Thomas continued to impose his will, scoring 6 points in the overtime period and grabbing 3 rebounds.
- Sean Fry redeemed himself with a crucial three-pointer and a pair of free throws to seal the victory.
- The defense shone brightest, as the Stallions recorded 3 blocks and 2 steals in the final five minutes.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, struggled to find rhythm, highlighted by their dismal shooting from beyond the arc (2-of-21, 9.5%) and a lackluster 14-of-24 (58.3%) performance at the free-throw line.
Key Stats Breakdown
Stallions' Standouts
- Damione Thomas: 20 points, 12 rebounds (6 offensive), 2 blocks
- Caleb Malik: 17 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
- Sean Fry: 12 points, 5 rebounds, 1 block
- Team Defense: 13 steals, 9 blocks
Bulldogs' Leaders
- George Nwogu: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 1 steal
- Jorden Clark: 16 points, 8 rebounds, 2 blocks
- Turnover Struggles: 19 giveaways, leading to 21 Stallion points
Team Comparisons
| Category |
Stallions |
Bulldogs |
| Field Goal % |
44.8% |
38.7% |
| 3-Point % |
30.8% |
9.5% |
| Free Throw % |
76.9% |
58.3% |
| Rebounds |
43 |
41 |
| Turnovers |
16 |
19 |
Looking Ahead
The victory improves the Stallions to 8-11 overall and 3-9 in the Red River Athletic Conference. Head Coach B. Doze praised the team's resilience, stating, "Our guys showed heart tonight. We stuck together, executed when it mattered, and found a way to win."
The Stallions will return to action on January 9, 2025, when they host Paul Quinn College at The Stable. With the rivalry heating up and the Stallions gaining momentum, fans are encouraged to pack the gym and cheer their team to victory.
Get your four-fingered hooves up, and Goooooooo Stallionsssss!
Written by Rev. Justin C. Jackson
