CARTERVILLE, Ill. - Three Rivers led the top-ranked team in the nation with less than a minute left in double overtime.

In the closing possessions of both overtime and double overtime, John A. Logan gave the ball to Missouri transfer Mario McKinney, who finished with 50 points over 47 minutes, and he helped propel John A. Logan to a 121-117 win in double overtime Thursday in Carterville, Ill.

"It's too bad that we came close, but no cigar," Three Rivers coach Brian Bess said. "I couldn't ask for any more than what I got from my guys."

After Dominique Hardimon scored the first basket of double overtime for the Raiders (2-1), McKinney tied it and drew a fifth foul against Lamar Wilkerson, who had 28 points to lead the Raiders.

The Volunteers (2-0) took the lead, and Keith Kiner countered with a 3 to put the Raiders ahead by one. After a goaltending call against the Raiders, Kiner, with the Volunteers' 7-foot, 3-inch center Jamarion Sharp guarding him, sank another 3.

With a minute and change to go and the Raiders down by one, Kiner buried a step-back 3 to put Three Rivers in front with 1:08 left.

Cam Alford countered with a 3 for the Volunteers, and Sharp blocked Jonathan Ninkingira's shot with 30 seconds left, and John A. Logan got possession.

"He's probably a pro," Bess said of Sharp, who is committed to Western Kentucky and finished with 20 points, nine rebounds and six blocks. "Let's be real, there are not that many 7-3 guys."

Down by one and the shot clock off, John A. Logan again put the ball into McKinney's hands, he was fouled with 17 seconds left and made both.

Kinyon Hodges drove for a quick two, missed, and the Volunteers grabbed the rebound. The Raiders immediately fouled Alford with 8.6 seconds left, and he missed the first and made the second.

Kevin Jones missed a 3 for the Raiders, Sharp grabbed the rebound as time expired.

Wilkerson got the opening bucket of overtime and followed that with a left-handed layin to put the Raiders ahead early.

McKinney soon tied it up at 92 with a little more than 2 minutes on the clock.

Hardimon followed that with a pair of free throws, and McKinney sank a 3 to take the lead.

After a Three Rivers turnover, McKinney drew a foul in the bonus and made one.

Down by two, Three Rivers got the ball to Hardimon inside with the shot clock winding down, and he muscled up a game-tying bucket with one minute remaining.

The Volunteers again went back to McKinney, spread the floor, and McKinney drew a blocking foul. He made one with 40 seconds to go.

Three Rivers missed a 3, Sharp grabbed a crucial rebound and passed to McKinney. He was fouled and made both to put the Volunteers ahead by three with 16 seconds left.

During the timeout, Three Rivers assistant coach Bryan Sherrer drew up double over-under play that left Wilkerson wide open with 5 seconds left, and he drained a 3 to force double overtime.

Scott Borkgren - Daily American Republic