INSTANT CLASSIC

By Brandon Petersen

Senior Night delivered everything a packed gym could ask for — emotion, chaos, momentum swings, and three overtimes of relentless basketball — as Westcliff men's basketball pulled out a 104-100 instant classic victory over Stanton on Wednesday night at Golden West College.

In a game defined by endurance and grit, the Warriors survived a foul-heavy battle that saw both teams combine for more than 90 free-throw attempts and three extra periods of basketball before Westcliff finally closed the door in the third overtime.

"It was a game," head coach Jerred Cook said afterward. "A lot of emotions around that one. Senior night is always different — families here, guys playing with a lot on their minds. Sometimes I felt like we played a little more to the crowd than we needed to, but this is a much-needed win."

Westcliff improved to 8-7 overall and 3-2 in conference play, earning a crucial victory in front of its home crowd while officially closing out the home portion of its schedule.

Triple Overtime Madness

Stanton (4-15, 2-4) built a seven-point halftime lead before Westcliff responded with a strong second half, outscoring Stanton 43-36 to force overtime tied at 70.

What followed was a war of attrition.

Each team traded punches through the first and second overtime periods, neither able to separate. The Warriors finally found their breakthrough in the third extra frame, leaning on Lorenzo Marsh from range, Michael Noulowe down low, and the distributor – Jeramiah Paulino – to secure the win.

"We've finally played everybody in conference now," Cook said. "I've been able to see what that looks like. I'm glad we can learn our lessons in a win."

Big Performances in a Big Moment

Westcliff featured a balanced attack throughout the night, led by a dominant effort from Noulowe, who finished with 28 points and eight rebounds while repeatedly drawing contact inside.

Marsh added 26 points and a game-high 14 rebounds, providing a crucial presence on both ends during the extended battle.

Paulino delivered in key moments as well, scoring 21 points and helping steady the offense during the late stages of overtime.

The Warriors dominated the glass, finishing with a 38-28 rebounding advantage, including 14 offensive boards that created valuable second-chance opportunities in a game where every possession mattered.

Fouls and Free Throws Define the Night

The physical nature of the contest kept both teams at the line throughout the game, with Stanton attempting 51 free throws compared to Westcliff's 43.

"We've got a lot of work to do to keep somebody off the line," Cook said. "They shot 50 free throws — that can change the course of a game right then and there."

Despite the foul trouble and constant stoppages, Westcliff's resilience ultimately carried the team through the marathon contest.

With emotions running high for the Warriors' seniors, the energy inside the gym was palpable from start to finish. Cook acknowledged that the atmosphere added another layer to an already intense matchup.

"Senior night is always different," he said. "But I'm proud of the effort. It's always been us — mental toughness, discipline, everything that goes into winning and not losing sight of it."

Looking Ahead

The victory gives Westcliff momentum heading into the final stretch of conference play as the Warriors continue their push toward postseason positioning.

"We got some work to do," Cook said. "But getting this one — especially like this — matters."