Entering the weekend stretch of games the Lynx were still looking for their first conference win, they would exit the weekend with not just their first win, but a pair of clutch wins. It got started vs Word of Life on Saturday. The Huskies started strong with a 12-4 run in the first 3 minutes of the game but the Lynx were able to respond and pull back in front with a Joseph Cantey three-pointer with 8 minutes to play in the half. Cantey would hit another three pointer late in the half that would help give NHTI a 31-27 halftime advantage.
The lead would exchange hands at numerous points in the second half, with Word of Life extending out to a 7-point lead with only 7 minutes to play in the game. Cantey would then score the next 6 points for the Lynx with Markel Brown hitting a huge three to pull the Lynx within two points. After 4 more quick points for Cantey, a layup for the Huskies gave Word of life a 2 point lead entering the final 2 minutes. Cantey, after deciding that he may never miss again, hit a three pointer to give the Lynx the lead. Then just moments later would isolate again, stepping back into a fully contested shot. As he landed you could hear him yell "Glass", moments later the basketball would hit the square and bounce squarely down and through the basket to give the Lynx a late two-possession lead. Markel Brown would have the dagger as he received a pass from Donald Brown and splashed a three to give NHTI a late 7 point lead. A lead which the Lynx wouldn't relinquish as they won 74-70.
Joseph Cantey ended with 36 points, 26 of which came in the second half including 16 in the last 7 minutes. He also had 7 assists and 4 steals. Markel Brown ended with 12 points and 8 rebounds while Donald Brown had 10 points and 4 steals of his own.
The Lynx would get right back into action the following day as they took on Paul Smith's College. NHTI were the ones to hit the ground running this time as they extended out to a 14-6 advantage in the first 7 minutes. NHTI would continue the momentum in the next few minutes with an Elie Guirand 3-pointer giving them their largest lead of the half, 25-12. The Bobcats would storm back though, even taking a slim 1 point lead of their own with 97 seconds to play in the half. However NHTI would enter the half with a 42-33 lead, with Donald Brown & Cantey combining to score the next ten points of the game.
Isaiah Ayers would hit back to back 3-pointers to start the second half, giving NHTI their largest lead of the game, 15 points. Again Paul Smith's would not quit, tying the game back up just 4 minutes later. The Bobcats would continue the momentum, going up by as much as 7 points with 7:50 to play. Donald Brown would continue his strong game responding with a 3-pointer the traditional way & the hard way as he fought through contact for a hoop plus the harm. After some more back and forth play, Markel Brown would hit another timely 3-pointer to put the Lynx in front late. Then following 2 made FTs for the Bobcats, Cantey would finish a layup inside to put the Lynx up by 1 with under a minute to play. Paul Smith's would draw a foul with seconds remaining and after splitting a pair of FT's, force overtime as regulation ended 91-91.
OT started slow but a pair of FT and a layup by Isaac Ynfante put the Lynx up by a possession. Isaiah Ayers would also hit a 3-pointer as the Lynx took over control. A minute later Ayers would hit another one as the Lynx took a 105-100 lead. After a steal by Donald Brown, Cantey would hit the dagger layup as NHTI took a 7 point lead with under 20 seconds remaining. The win would be capitalized by a dunk from Isaac Ynfante as the clock expired, giving NHTI a 109-102 win, their second clutch win in as many days.
Joseph Cantey ended with a near triple-double with 27 points, 10 rebounds, & 8 Assists. Donald Brown also had 27 points with 11 rebounds and 6 assists. Isaiah Ayers had 15 points and 9 rebounds. Markel Brown had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Isaac Ynfante ended with 13 points and 6 rebounds.
