Baldwin Powers PCC Men to Another Road Win

For the second game in a row Illi Baldwin scored 24 points and propelled Pratt to another last minute road win against Colby on Monday night.  Baldwin's performance was augmented by a strong second half from Monty Gordon, whose steal and free throw with 37 second left put Pratt up by three. Baldwin then iced the game with another free throw with five seconds remaining.
 
It was not an easy night for the Beavers on the offensive end.  Only Baldwin and Gordon were in double figures, and Gordon's 13 points all came in the second half.  Nine of those were at the line.  Gordon, who is shooting only 52 percent at the line this year, hit eight in a row before missing his last free throw with 18 seconds left.
 
Pratt had fallen behind by seven with less than nine minutes in the game, but then scored three successive lay-ups to pull within one.  Gordon had two of those, and Trae Beck added the third.  From there on it was a two point back and forth game until Marcus Smith hit a three inside of four minutes to give Pratt a four point lead.
 
Pratt briefly became their own worst enemy with two offensive fouls and a couple of missed free throws.  Fortunately Colby did not capitalize on any of those, but the Trojans managed to tie the game at 60 on a field goal with 1:31 left.
 
Gordon then hit two free throws, but Colby answered with a jumper to tie it up again at the one minute mark.  Baldwin then followed a Gordon drive with a huge tip-in for a 64-62 lead.  Not to be outdone, Gordon stole the ball at the other end and pushed the lead to three by hitting one of two from the line.
 
Colby missed a three point attempt, and Baldwin grabbed the rebound, getting fouled in the process.  He was able to hit one to provide the four point margin.