MARIETTA, Ohio – Senior Christian Jackson hit a jumper as time expired to give the Bobcats a thrilling 74-72 buzzer-beating victory over Defiance in the consolation game of the 42nd annual Marietta Shrine Tournament, Saturday evening.

With 33 ticks left of the clock, senior DeSean Antoine hit the first of two free throws to put FSU (1-1) up 72-69 but Defiance (0-2) let its final shot clock wind almost all the way down and Logan Wolfrum drained a three to tie the game a 72-72 with eight seconds left and set up the dramatic finish for the Bobcats. After the inbound pass, Jackson worked his way down the right side of the court and through traffic took the final shot of the game to give FSU the 74-72 victory.

The Yellow Jackets used a 6-2 run over the final 50 seconds of the first half to lead the Bobcats 39-32 going into the locker room. After a layup from senior Kwambina Coker cut the lead to 39-34, the two teams traded baskets to keep DC on top by seven, 43-36 with 16:40 to play in the second half. The Bobcats used a 9-3 spurt over the next three minutes to pull within one, 46-45, with 13:42 showing on the clock.

Sophomore David Patrick converted a layup with 11:22 left in regulation to give FSU its first lead of the second half and just its second lead of the game at 52-51. The lead changed hands eight more times over the next nine minutes of action, including a 4-0 run by the Bobcats that was capped with a pair of free throws from Patrick to give FSU its largest lead of the game up until that point at four, 65-61. A dunk and a good layup from the Yellow Jackets tied the game for the fourth time in the half at 65-65 before Defiance took its final lead of the game on a free throw from Wolfrum that completed a traditional three-point play.
A jumper from sophomore Jabari Kamau at 2:52 gave the lead back to the Bobcats, 67-66, and FSU went on to score five unanswered points to lead the Yellow Jackets 71-66 with just 47 seconds left.

After a three from Travis Schomaeker cut the Bobcat lead to two, Antoine hit his free throw and the dramatics finished out the game with the three from Wolfrum and the jumper from Jackson.

Defiance won the battle off the glass, leading 38-34 in rebounds but Coker pulled down a game-high 13 boards for the Bobcats. Coker picked up his first double-double of the season, chipping in 16 points. Jackson led FSU with 20 points while senior Micah Steinmiller added 10 points. Wolfrum led all scorers with 34 points.

The Bobcats return to the hardwood when they travel to Harrisonburg, Va. to face Eastern Mennonite before Thanksgiving break on Nov. 20. Tipoff is set for 7 pm.

All-Tournament Team:
Logan Wolfrum - Defiance
Christian Jackson - Frostburg State
Jason Humphrey - Marietta
Garrett Stephenson - Marietta
Taylor Reiger - Ohio Wesleyan
Reuel Rogers - Ohio Wesleyan

MVP: Andy Winters - Ohio Wesleyan