In one of the most dramatic games of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament so far, Benedictine Mesa survived a relentless comeback and an intense double-overtime battle to defeat Faulkner University, 96–88, in the Round of 16 on Thursday at Municipal Auditorium.

The Redhawks, who led for the majority of regulation, found themselves fighting to stay alive after a furious late push from the Eagles. But behind the poised play of Isaiah Howard, Khari Dunn, Eric Blackwell and Malik Payton, Benedictine Mesa powered through the final overtime period to secure their spot in the national quarterfinals. First Half:
Benedictine Mesa opened the game with crisp execution and attacking confidence. After Khari Dunn knocked down the game's opening jumper, the Redhawks surged ahead behind a combination of perimeter shooting and fast-break finishes.
Isaiah Howard established himself immediately, scoring at all levels—including a transition layup and a deep three—to push the Redhawks ahead 10–5 just three minutes in. Moments later, Eric Blackwell drilled a three and added two free throws to build a 20–9 lead.

The Redhawks threatened to break the game open, stretching the advantage to 26–14 after a series of layups by Payton and Dunn. But Faulkner found an answer in Gabriel Rivera, whose outside shooting temporarily steadied the Eagles.
Even so, Benedictine Mesa controlled the half, leading by as many as 12 behind efficient shooting and aggressive rebounding. But turnovers in the final minutes allowed Faulkner to chip away, and the Redhawks went into the locker room with a narrow 43–44 deficit after a buzzer-beating three from Francois-Dony Baba flipped the score. Second Half: 
Coming out of the break, Benedictine Mesa quickly reclaimed momentum as Blackwell buried a three, and Howard followed with another from deep. A strong defensive stretch and timely scoring from Damian Zivak and Howard built the lead back to 55–47.

But Faulkner refused to fade. The Eagles repeatedly attacked the rim, capitalizing on Redhawk turnovers and foul trouble. KJ Rogers and Levi White sparked a 10–2 run that tightened the gap midway through the half.
The Redhawks responded with interior scoring from Luis Marin, who punctured Faulkner's zone for back-to-back layups, while Howard once again delivered clutch baskets.

Still, Faulkner stayed within striking distance. Baba and Turner-Durley combined for key late buckets, and with the Redhawks holding a one-possession lead in the final minute, the Eagles forced turnovers on consecutive possessions. Kamal Green's free throw with 36 seconds left tied the game at 75–75.

Howard's potential go-ahead layup rimmed out with 13 seconds left, and after a tense final Faulkner possession, regulation ended deadlocked. Overtime: 
The first overtime was a grind. Faulkner jumped ahead 81–77, but Dunn and Howard settled the Redhawks with back-to-back baskets. Blackwell calmly sank two free throws with 43 seconds left, pushing Benedictine Mesa ahead 83–81.

But the Eagles answered again—this time with White elevating for a powerful dunk to tie the game at 83–83. Both teams had one final shot, but neither converted, sending the battle to a second overtime. Second Overtime: 
In the second extra period, Benedictine Mesa showed its composure. Payton opened scoring with two free throws, and from there the Redhawks locked in defensively—holding Faulkner without a field goal for nearly three minutes.

Howard delivered the dagger with a deep three at the 51-second mark, extending the lead to 90–86. Payton added two more free throws shortly after, and Dunn sealed the win with four straight at the line in the final seconds. 

The Redhawks outscored Faulkner 13–5 in the second overtime and celebrated a statement victory to advance into the NAIA Quarterfinals. Quote from Coach Woodford:
"So proud of the guys for finding a way to tough it out in double OT and make the winning plays we needed."