Pictured Tristian Pierce
Men Win 3rd Straight in Marathon Triple Overtime
It took 55 minutes of basketball for a team to lead at the end Sunday on the campus of Penn State Worthington-Scranton. Penn State DuBois erased a 15 point halftime lead as well as being down as many as 21 in the first half to win their 3rd straight PSUAC game 112-110 in triple overtime. Down 10-0 PSUD got on the board with a made jump shop from Louis Conde (Ewing, NJ) almost five minutes into the contest. PSUD would go scoreless for another stretch, this time until the 9:48 mark when Kyle Mills (Bushkill,Pa) hit a deep 3 changing the score 20-5 in favor of PSU Worthington-Scranton. Thanks in part to better pressure defense PSUD was able to close the half on a small run cutting the lead to 44-29. "In the first half we were 1-15 from 3 (13-35 overall), I told the guys to be patient and shoot good 3's. We didn't do much of that, but our bench never stopped with energy and I think that's what helped us stay in the game mentally," stated Coach Dylan Howard.
Just 3 minutes and 11 seconds into the second half, PSUD tied the score at 46. The 17-2 quick burst was spurred from the same pressure defense PSUD ended the first half with. During the run, Tristan Pierce (Lancaster, Oh) would score 10 of his game high 46 points. PSU Worthington-Scranton would go up by 7 at the 13:10 mark, but PSUD would fight back again taking the lead 61-60 at 10:34. After being behind again for a brief time, PSUD would go up 70-64 after another made 3 from Kyle Mills. PSUD would remain in the lead until a front end of a one and one with 5 seconds remaining was missed by PSUD, leading to a transition pull up 3 at the top of the key from Hasiin Dixon that would send the game to its first overtime 78-78. "That was our first of 4 opportunities to close the game out, we are fortunate to get home with a tough road conference win," added Coach Howard.
To start the first overtime, PSUD W-S hit an open 3 and a jump shot on consecutive possessions to take a 83-78 lead. Tristan Pierce would answer with his own 5 point run to tie the game back up at 83-83. Down 2 with 6 seconds left on the clock, PSUD inbounded from next to their own bench. Senior Louie Conde would drive all the way to the bucket, take the non-call contact from Hasiin Dixon and finish a strong layup just before the buzzer. "This was our second opportunity to close out the game, I really thought Louie deserved the call, but we didn't get it, all you can do is play on and go to the second overtime," said Coach Howard.
The second overtime would prove to be the closest as neither team was able to lead by more than one possession. Tied 98-98, once again PSUD found itself with the ball and a shot to win the game. Louie Conde once again drove the middle of the floor, as the rim protector stepped up Louie would dump the ball off to Sam Roselli (Ridgway,Pa) who couldn't convert the 6 foot baseline jumper.
Quickly into the 3rd overtime, PSUD would take the lead 100-98 from a made jump shot from Tristan Pierce. However, with 3:55 left PSUD was down 108-104 after 3 quick scores by PSU W-S. Tristan Pierce again would go on his own run making 4-4 from the foul line as well as hitting a jumper. After a double foul due to a charge and block call on the same action, PSU W-S was awarded the ball by the possession arrow with 58 seconds left. PSU W-S was unable to score and PSUD would secure the rebound. Once again PSUD would call on Louie Conde to create, and once again he did. Driving the middle of the lane, Louie would hit a floater with 1.5 seconds remaining to give PSUD the 112-110 lead. After a PSU W-S timeout, PSU W-S inbounded under PSUD's hoop but was unable to advance the ball pass half court and get off a desperation shot. "On our 4th opportunity we were able to convert and close the game, I thought our kids did a great job tonight of being resilient, believing in each other, and staying together the entire game." "Louie does a lot for us, runs the team at the point, scores, rebounds, gets the ball to his teammates. Tristan did a great job tonight of attacking and finishing. Sam Roselli came back earl from an ankle injury, I could tell he wasn't 100 percent but he played 35 of the possible 55 minutes tonight. Kyle Mills was a senior, he lead us mentally and when we needed a big three he hit them," added Coach Howard.
Tristan Pierce would add 5 rebounds and 6 steals to go along with his game high 46 points. Louie Conde scored 21, grabbed 13 rebounds, and added 5 assists. Sam Roselli added 18 points on 7-9 shooting and 13 rebounds. Kyle Mills also added 11 points.
PSUD (10-6) (4-4 in PSUAC) is now in 6th place in the PSUAC, holding onto the final playoff spot with 8 conference games remaining. They will hit the road on Tuesday to face PSU Greater Allegheny who is second in the conference at 5-1 and ranked 10th nationally in the USCAA.