GRAYSON, Ky.

Monday, November 08, 1999

GRAYSON, Ky. – The opponent wasn’t the same, but the results were.

Instead playing favored host Kentucky Christian College in the KCC Invitational Tournament, the Ohio Southern Trailblazers went up against the Lincoln (Ill.) Christian College Preachers in Saturday’s title game.

In the end it didn’t matter as the Trailblazers pulled out a thrilling 66-64 win in the final seconds to win a second straight KCC Tournament championship.

OUSC junior guard Andrew Stevens, who struggled with his long-range shooting most of the game, drained a 3-pointer with two seconds left that erased a 64-63 deficit and turned it into the team’s third win in as many outings.

Stevens finished with a game-high 21 points and was voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He scored 37 points in Saturday’s 95-81 semifinal win over Alice Lloyd.

The Trailblazers also landed junior guard Kevin Wells on the all-tournament team. Wells finished with 38 points in the two games including 32 in Saturday’s win.

Maurice Creel had a big game offensively with 19 points and also led OUSC in rebounding.

Matt Clark and Gabe Rutledge scored 14 points each and Jonathan Woods had 12 to lead the Preachers.

Ohio Southern took a 33-24 halftime lead as Creel scored 11 points and Stevens 8. Rutledge and Woods combined for 13 points to keep Lincoln close.

Clark had the hot hand for Lincoln with 12 points the second half, but Stevens countered with 13 points including the game-winner.

The Trailblazers had a tough two-game schedule this week as they play at Alice Lloyd Tuesday and then host NAIA powerhouse Georgetown (Ky.) College at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Ironton Sports Center.