HELENA, Mont. – Zach Taylor scored 27 points and four other Saints reached double-figures to lead Carroll to a 89-83 overtime Frontier Conference win over MSU-Northern Thursday at the PE Center.
 
The Saints led for most of the first half but the Lights surged into the lead after the break. They built a 70-61 lead with just under five minutes remaining in the game before a 3-pointer by Ryan Imhoff set off a 13-4 Carroll run to end regulation. Taylor hit a jumper with 12 seconds remaining to tie the game at 74.
 
After trading baskets to start the overtime period, another Imhoff 3-pointer gave the Saints a 79-78 lead with 2:54 remaining. They wouldn't trail for the rest of the game but the Lights cut the deficit to 84-83 with 49 seconds remaining.
 
On the ensuing Carroll Possession, Taylor drove, drawing a defender, and found a wide open Zayn Kirkendoll for the deep 3-pointer with just 16 seconds to play. Kirkendoll followed that up with a rebound on a MSUN shot and two free-throws to close out the 89-83 win.
 
"This team has a real impressive competitive fire, and I'm grateful to be a part of it," head coach Carson Cunningham said. "Taylor played like a dynamo, and I want to acknowledge bench players; Imhoff, Lorel Johnson, Jon Pulsifer and the rest. They had a great week of practice and showed a ton of maturity, and how about Zayn, he had a huge shot, but also played great 'D' all game. "
 
Kirkendoll finished with 12 points, Johnson had 13, Imhoff tallied 12 and Jake Hollifield had 11 points.
 
The win moves the Saints to 13-4 overall and 2-1 in the Frontier Conference. The Saints rebound from a road loss to Montana-Western.
 
"Assistant coaches Labarda, Pearson and the rest did a fantastic job this week of helping us have spirited practices," Cunningham said. "It paid off."
 
Carroll outrebounded Northern 37-25 and shot 55.6 percent (35-of-63) to the Lights' 49.2 percent (30-of-61).
 
The Lights fall to 11-8 on the season and 0-3 in Frontier play. MSU-Northern had four players in double-figures, led by Corbin Pearson with 16.
 
"MSU-Northern played great. We have to give them credit," Cunningham said. "I'm really impressed at the Saints' Fight, at their ability to hang in there. But after tonight, we have to turn our focus to Great Falls."
 
The Saints host the Argos Saturday at 7:30. UGF received votes in the latest NAIA Poll. The game will be broadcast on 94.9 ESPN Radio and streamed live on ESPNMontana.com with live video on the Carroll Athletics YouTube page.