DOYLESTOWN (PA) – Freshman Phil Jackson's 3-pointer with 3.3 seconds remaining capped a 10-2 Delaware Valley College run in the final minute as the Aggies rallied for a 73-72 home triumph over FDU-Florham in a Freedom Conference game.
Delaware Valley improved its record to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in the conference while the Devils fell to 1-5 and 0-1.
FDU-Florham appeared to have seized control of the game as a Ricky Fetske dunk with 49 seconds remaining ended an 8-1 run that gave the Devils a 70-63 advantage. Jackson hit a pair of foul shots five seconds later and Delaware Valley quickly got a turnover off the press as Jason Goldheimer stole a pass. He fed Jackson who found Chris Ellis alone for a 3-pointer and a 70-68 deficit with 31 ticks to go.
The Devils' Adam Katz was fouled with 20 seconds remaining and he calmly hit both free throws to make it a four-point ballgame. Delaware Valley came back down the court and Jackson assisted on Nate Lewis' layup with 14 seconds left. Katz was called for travelling shortly after the in-bounds pass, giving the Aggies a final chance. Following the timeout, James Jones threw a pass in the left corner to Jackson. The rookie let a defender fly by him and he then hit nothing but net for the 3-pointer and a 73-72 Aggie lead. FDU-Florham turned the ball over near halfcourt and Delaware Valley had the come-from-behind victory.
The Aggies led by as many as nine in the first half, but FDU-Florham crawled back into the game and trailed by just two, 33-31, at the break. An early second-half surge by Delaware Valley upped its advantage back to nine, but the Devils wouldn't go away and they took their first lead since the opening minutes of the game at 62-60 with 4:17 remaining. Nathan Bollinger tied it a minute later with a layup for Delaware Valley. That led to FDU-Florham's run and the Aggies' improbable comeback.
Jones led Delaware Valley with 18 points, five assists and four steals while Jeremy Beckett added 13 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. Ellis hit a trio of 3-pointers and finished with 12 points while Jackson's memorable night included 10 points and three assists.
Katz had a game-high 23 points and also added six rebounds and six assists. Fetske notched 16 points and seven boards while Derek Hall finished with 12 points and six rebounds.