CHANDLER, Ariz. – There were a number of chances for the Argos to win the game in both regulation and overtime against Southwestern Christian (Okla.), but for the second straight day, UGF lost in heartbreaking form, 67-64 in overtime. 
 
UGF had the ball with 7 seconds left in regulation and the game tied at 60 all, but as junior guard Sergio Berkley dribbled through pressure the ball bounced off a foot and out of bounds. In a controversial decision, the officials ruled that it was Berkley's foot that hit the ball and took away the Argo's chance to win it in regulation.
 
In overtime, UGF found itself again with the ball and time running out. Down one with 13 seconds left, a miscommunication led to an errant pass and a turnover that ultimately cost the Argos the game. 
 
Neither team led by more than 6 points at any points in the game. The second half was even closer than that, with a 4-points SCU lead with 2:31 left in regulation marking the largest margin of the period.
 
The lead was erased by a layup from senior guard Sigman Farmer III and then a huge 3-point field goal from senior forward Isaac Howard in the short corner with 37 seconds left right in front of the UGF bench.
 
A constant, relentless defensive effort was the true truly star for the Argos. UGF held the athletic Eagles to a shooting percentage of 36.5 percent in the game and forced 15 turnovers. The team also benefited from 4 blocks from junior forward Tymarieh Dixon.
 
Counteracting the effectiveness of the defense, was a sloppy offensive game for UGF. While the Argos shot 45.3 percent from the field, they were ice cold from behind the 3-point arc, shooting just 19 percent. The team also turned it over 22 times including a surprisingly large amount of traveling violations.
 
The on major bright spot in terms of scoring, was UGF's performance at the charity stripe. The Argos are shooting 70 percent from the free-throw line on the season, but hit 12 of 15 attempts for a percentage of 80 on the night.
 
Farmer III and Howard both stepped up in big moments for UGF. Farmer III led UGF with 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Howard's late three was part of his 12 points, after a career high of 28 in his previous game. 
 
Junior Sergio Berkley also played well, finishing with 14 points, a team leading 5 assists, and 2 steals.
 
The loss follows an 82-77 OT loss to Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) in the first game of the 2016 Cactus Classic. UGF is now 0-2 in the tournament and 7-4 (1-1) on the season.
 
Next on the schedule is USCAA school Diné College who has lost 109-45 to Rocky Mountain College and 117-27 to MSU-Northern in its previous two games in the tournament. That game will take place at 1 p.m. MT on December 21.