Tyus Jeffries (SR/Oklahoma City, Okla.) knew his patience and persistence would eventually pay off and he'd have an opportunity to get back on the basketball court and contribute to Kansas Wesleyan's season.
"I just trust that my hard work is going to take me where I need to be," said Jeffries, who started 17 games, played in 21 and averaged 10.3 points a year ago before an injury prematurely ended his season. "We preach every day to be just be bought in. I bought in and it works."
It certainly did Saturday night when Jeffries was summoned during the Coyotes' Kansas Conference game against Ottawa – the first time he'd been on the floor since playing three minutes in KWU's victory over Clarke on November 3.
To say his impact was significant would be a significant understatement.
Jeffries finished with a game-high 21 points and had six rebounds, two steals and an assist in 25 minutes of play. But it was his two free throws with 4.0 seconds left that were the difference in KWU's harrowing 83-81 victory over previously unbeaten Ottawa inside Mabee Arena.
The Coyotes (7-1 overall, 3-1 KCAC) led 46-30 at halftime but Ottawa stormed back. The Braves never took the lead but two Perry Carroll free throws with 9.0 seconds left brought them even for the first time, 81-81.
After a time out Jeffries took the inbounds pass and dribbled the length of the floor to the basket where he fouled as he went up for a shot in front of the rim. He calmly sank both free throws and Carroll's 40-foot shot was off target at the horn.
"The next night it might not be me, it might be somebody else but I'm going to stay locked in and do my part," said Jeffries, a transfer from Allen Community College before last season.
"I think he was hungry after not playing for a few games," KWU coach Anthony Monson said. "In that second year (after transferring) your relationship grows with them. They get more comfortable with you and know what to expect and what you want from them.
"There's a trust that's built over that time and they get to the point where they understand it's not personal on the court, we're just coaching the game and trying win the game."
Jeffries scored eight consecutive points in one stretch of the second half that included back-to-back 3-pointers and gave KWU a 66-56 lead with 10 minutes left. He was 6 of 11 from the field – 2 of 2 from deep – and 7 of 8 from the foul line.
Jeffries, though, said it was his defense against Ottawa's standout Jaquan Daniels that got him going.
"I let my defense create my offense," he said.
"If he goes in any game thinking offense he's got the wrong mindset," Monson said, "because he's such a good defender and he's so physical that you can't just bully him. When he starts really guarding all of a sudden his confidence becomes really high with his shot."
AJ Range (SR/Junction City, Kan.) had another super game finishing with 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists. Easton Hunter (FR/Colwich, Kan.) scored 12 on 4 of 8 shooting from long range and Jun Murdock (SO/Wichita, Kan.) added nine points, five assists and a stellar defensive effort.
KWU also got six points and five rebounds from CJ Weathers (JR/Allen, Texas), another frequent flyer a year ago but a reserve this season like Jeffries.
"Some big ol' boards and second-chance opportunities and finished some shots around the basket," Monson said of Weathers. "These are guys that aren't playing every single night. That's how deep this team is. The guys right now are believing in each other and we need to keep that going."
The Coyotes shot 44 percent for the game (30 of 68) but it was a tale of two halves. They shot 53 percent the first half (18 of 34) and 35.3 percent (12 of 34) the second. KWU was 10 of 22 beyond the arc and won the rebounding battle 43-36.
Ottawa (7-1, 3-1 KCAC) shot 43.5 percent for the game (30 of 69) – just 35.3 percent the first half (12 of 34) but 51.4 percent (18 of 35) the second. Andre Jackson and Ty Bland led the Braves with 16 points apiece while Carroll had 15 and Daniels 14.
"If you look at Ottawa's games they've been down at halftime, sometimes big and they come roaring back and just destroy people in the second half," Monson said. "We knew that was going to come.
"That's a championship team. Those guys have been together forever, they've won a conference title, they've won games at the national tournament and came in undefeated. We were lucky enough to come out with a win."
Trailing 18-17 with 12½ minutes left in the half KWU outscored Ottawa 29-12 the rest of the way in crafting the 16-point halftime cushion – Jeffries scoring a team-best eight on 3 of 4 shooting.
The Coyotes have a quick turnaround with another game against Southwestern on Monday in Winfield, starting at 8 p.m. The Moundbuilders (8-1, 2-1 KCAC) lost to Saint Mary 90-84 Saturday in Leavenworth for their first loss of the season.