Box Score CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Jason Cuffee scored a career-high 23 points and the Yellow Jackets dodged Ohio Christian's upset bid, 70-69, in a non-conference game played in the Callan Athletic Center.

The Trailblazers had two opportunities for the win in the final 19 seconds. The last chance came on a highly-contested three-pointer at the buzzer that fell short.

Freshman Patrick Bain scored what proved to be the game-winning basket. He broke a 68-68 tie on a driving layup in traffic with 28 seconds to go.

After OCU made one-of-two free throws, Cedarville missed the front end of a one-and-one with 19 seconds remaining to set up the final flurry by the Trailblazers.

The Yellow Jackets held a 47-35 lead early in the second half. Ohio Christian responded with a 21-6 to regain the edge.

Jason Cuffee, who went 5-for-5 from deep, hit a trio of threes in the final six minutes. He finished with a career-high 23 points for Cedarville, 2-6 overall, which halted a six-game skid.

Easton Bazzoli totaled 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists off the bench. Austin Pickett chipped in eight points and three assists.

Ohio Christian, the two-time defending NCCAA Division II champions, falls to 5-4.

The Yellow Jackets head to Lewis (Ill.), NABC pre-season ranked #11, on Saturday. Game time is set for 4:00 p.m. EST.

Quotable: Head Coach Pat Estepp

"We were very fortunate to come away with a win. We told our guys that this was a good team and well-coached, but we didn't play like we believed that to start the game.

"I thought we had a few bright spots. Cuffee played perhaps his best basketball game as a Yellow Jacket on both ends of the floor. He did a tremendous job defending #24 (Wesley) Russell. Bazzoli and David Dinnie gave us some really good minutes as well.

"We can be thankful that they didn't hit free throws. I don't want to take anything away from OCU because they have a good squad and Tony (Stockman) does a great job coaching them. But, we have to have more energy on the defensive end or our press is non-existent - which it was in the second half.

"I'm grateful for the win, but we have to defend and rebound better. Those are things I can fix and we will get to work correcting those tomorrow."

Numbers Game:

• CU made at least 10 three-pointers for the fifth time
• The Jackets are 37-for-91 (.407) outside the arc in their last three outings.
• After opening the season 1-for-17 from deep, Cuffee has gone 11-for-16 (.688).
• Cuffee's 5-for-5 three-point accuracy ties the school single-game record (minimum 5 made) previously set by Jason Weakley, Matt Harner, and Marcus Reineke.
• The Jackets committed more turnovers (13-11) than their opponent for the first time this season.
• Cedarville leads the all-time series vs. Ohio Christian, 5-0.
• Printable PDF Box Score