Wildcats Fall Just Short vs. Graceland on Saturday, 68-65

LAMONI, Iowa – Snapping a four-game winning streak, the Baker men's basketball team dropped a tough one on the road to Graceland on Saturday afternoon, 68-65.

Baker was led in scoring by Noah Rigatuso with 15, while Jalen Patterson added 14 and both Justin Batts II and Quentin Harvey tacked on 10 points each. Baker was able to win the rebounding battle, 34-31, as Korey Jones, Batts II, Harvey and Joshua Kelly each had five rebounds.

Baker fell behind early in the game, taking a timeout just four minutes in trailing 10-2. With just over 11 minutes left in the first half, the Yellowjackets had stretched their lead to 11 points, 18-7.

Baker then fought their way back and with 4:02 left until the half, Baker had cut the lead to two on a layup from Batts II, 26-24. Over the last couple of minutes, Graceland made another run and took a 33-26 lead into halftime.

Throughout the second half, Baker worked their way back and with 8:55 left in the game, a Noah Rigatuso dunk cut the lead to 53-50 and forced Graceland to call a timeout. With 3:40 to play in the game, the Wildcats trailed by nine points, but held the Yellowjackets scoreless for the next three minutes and a free throw from Batts II pulled the Wildcats within one point, 66-65.

After two free throws from Graceland to extend the lead to three, Baker had one more chance, but the three-point attempt just missed and the Wildcats fell to Graceland, 68-65.

Baker is now 19-6 on the season and 14-5 in Heart of America play. They will be back in action on Monday, Feb. 13, when they travel to Fayette, Mo., to take on Central Methodist at 7:30 p.m.

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