CEDARVILLE, Ohio - Zimmy Nwogbo stepped up in the second half to rally the Yellow Jackets to a 78-72 win over Malone in the Callan Athletic Center securing the top seed for Cedarville in the upcoming Ohio Independent Championship.

The Jackets, who complete the regular season 18-8 overall, will host the OIC Tournament semifinals and finals on March 2-3. They are 11-1 at home.

Nwogbo's play down the stretch was the difference against Malone. He scored 12 of CU's final 14 points featuring a trio of dunks to finish with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and five blocked shots.

However, Nwogbo's biggest baskets came at the free throw line. He converted a one-and-one with 14 seconds left for a 76-72 lead and then hit both ends again with 3.5 seconds to go to seal the outcome.

The Pioneers, 12-14, bolted to leads of 11-2 and 19-7 to quiet the home crowd early. Despite recovering for a brief two-point lead, Cedarville trailed 38-34 at the break.

Both teams squandered five-point leads in the second half. Nwogbo broke a 68-68 deadlock with a lay-up off a feed from Zach Brown to give the Jackets the lead for good with 1:50 remaining.

Austin Foote ended up with 15 points. Daniel Hickman came off the bench with 13 points while Brian Hecker added 11, also in a reserve role. Brown dished out six assists.

STATS  ♦  PHOTO GALLERY

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