JOHN CURTIS - Daily Union Sports Editor
Central A&M; made free throws, made treys and got a season-high 24 points from their leading scorer Ryan Workman to almost beat higher seeded Warrensburg on Friday night in the OVC tourney, losing 57-52.
Workman did his thing in the paint and at the line and Collin Townsend knocked down a triply of treys. The Raiders also made 13-of-18 free throws, while Warrensburg only made 3-of-11. All of that played into the competitive game, but in the end the better team came out on top.
Warrensburg got 23 points from their leading scorer in the game, Bird, and Albert was also in double figures with ten points.
A&M; had the upper hand early, leading by four after one, 8-4. The Cards got going in the second, but A&M; stayed a pace head and led by half a dozen at the break, 25-19. The third period was A&M;'s undoing, as the Cards dealt a 22-9 run and shot past the Raiders for a 7-point lead heading down the stretch, 41-34.
Warrensburg had the momentum, but the Raiders matched them stride for stride with the game on the line and even gained back a step. A&M; just couldn't quite catch Warrensburg at the wire.
OVC Tourney
Warrensburg 57, Central A&M; 52
W-L 4-15-22-16--57
A&M; 8-17-9-18--52
A&M; stats: Ry. Workman 24 (7 FGs, 10/14 FTs), Townsend 13 (1-2, 3-3 pt FGs, 2/3 FTs), Napier 7 (3 FGs, 1/1 FTs), Sirbaugh 4 (2 FGs), C. Bridgman 2 (FG), Keeling 2 (FG). Team FGs 18 (3-3 pt: Townsend 3). Team FTs 13-of-18.
W-L stats: Bird 23 (8-2s, 2-3 pt FGs, 1/3 FTs), Albert 10 (5 FGs, 0/2 FTs), Taylor 7 (1-2,1-3 pt FGs, 2/2 FTs), Munson 6 (3 FGs, 0/1 FTs), Matthews 4 (2 FGs, 0/1 FTs), Dunn 4 (2 FGs, 0/2 FTs), Rogers 3 (FG). Team FGs 25 (4-3 pt: Bird 2, Taylor, Rhodes). Team FTs 3-of-11.
