KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- It took 10 extra minutes and some crazy dramatics, but UPIKE found enough grit and grind to upset the Duer bracket's No. 1 seed in double overtime, downing Benedictine (Kan.), 83-79.

The game marked the first multiple-overtime game in the NAIA DI Men's Basketball National Championship since 2007. With the win, UPIKE advanced to its fourth quarterfinal round in program history (2001, 2011, 2017).

After holding a 15-point lead in the second half and holding a crowd with nearly 3,000 Ravens fans silent for the first 25 minutes, the Ravens came storming back to set the stage for what would be an epic final 15.

The Ravens started a 6-0 run to take a lead with 2:46 left in regulation. Jayvian Delacruz answered with a running reverse layup to tie the game and after a turnover, Luke Layhew hit a left hand hook to give the Bears a two-point lead.

Layhew scored 17 of his 23 points after halftime on 8-13 shooting, 7-9 from the free throw stripe. He also added 13 rebounds, many of which came in clutch time.

Needing a stop, UPIKE forced a miss on BC's running layup, but a putback tied the game. Chase Parsley had an open look at a deep game-winning three, but it fell wide to force the first overtime.

Benedictine, or more specifically Jaiden Bristol, came out with a vengeance in the first overtime scoring seven of the first eight points, opening a six-point lead with 2:34 to go. But not to be outdone, UPIKE closed a 7-1 run of its own to tie the game at 72 all with 21 second to go. Bristol drove the baseline but met Layhew at the rim and was rejected to force the second overtime.

The second overtime was more back and forth, but turned started with more of the Luke Layhew show. He hit back-to-back baby hooks to open the period, and then made one of two free throws. Despite that, UPIKE was still down one at 77-78.

Then the other star of the game, Jovontae Carleton took over. With 36 seconds to go, Delacruz missed a short shot, but Xaviar Gaona fought through and grabbed the tough offensive rebound. He dished out top to Chase Parsley, who drove and found Carleton in the corner where he drilled the go-ahead three-pointer.

Carleton had his second straight strong game in Kansas City, besting Layhew by one point with 24 and equaling him with 13 rebounds. UPIKE as a whole dominated the boards all night, one short of a season-high 61 rebounds, 23 more than the Ravens.

The game wasn't over with Carleton's three. Pikeville forced a much-needed stop on the other end, Carleton grabbed the rebound and was fouled immediately. The senior hit both foul shots to make it a two-possession game with 10 seconds to go.

Benedictine attempted a Hail Mary three-pointer with four seconds left that banged off the backboard. The Ravens grabbed the rebound and was fouled on the putback, making one of two.

Carleton was fouled again on the inbound pass, made the first and intentionally missed the second to run the clock out and start the celebration for the Bears.

UP NEXT

After the late run tonight, the Bears will have to turn around and win again Saturday against No. 3 Carroll College at 7:30 p.m. in Municipal Auditorium with a trip to Monday's Fab Four on the line.

-UPIKE-