Waterville, Maine – The Thomas College Terriers (12-10, 8-4 NAC) rallied from a 27 point deficit to defeat the Lyndon Hornets (9-14, 8-4 NAC) 138-136 in overtime on Senior Day. With 21 seconds remaining on the clock in overtime the Terriers found themselves tied with Lyndon when Sophomore Jarrad DeVaughn put up a layup with three seconds remaining; freshman Stanley Greene Jr. grabbed the offensive rebound and sent the ball through for a buzzer beating victory.
The first half saw the Terriers struggle to keep up with their guest as the Hornets shot 59 percent from the field and 60 percent from behind the arc. The Hornets were led by Jason Gray's 13 first half points on his way to a 23 point game. When the teams entered the locker rooms at halftime the Hornets had a 23 point led over their host (39-62).
When the teams hit the floor in the second half the Terriers began chip into the Lyndon lead, and with 16 seconds remaining in regulation the Senior Andrew Duncanson drained a three to bring Thomas within three. The Hornets increased the lead to five with two Ben Sackett free throws, but Thomas answered with a huge three pointer from freshman Franklin Salvador with six seconds on the clock. Salvador immediately fouled Lyndon's Phil Warrick on the inbounds. Warrick went 1-1 at the line, Senior Isiah Brathwaite grabbed the rebound on the second shot with five seconds remaining and junior Antonio Juco took care of the tie as he sent a three pointer through the hoop as the buzzer sounded.
Lyndon was first to break the 119-119 tie with a Warrick three pointer ten seconds into overtime. The Hornets held the lead till Brathwaite hit a three at the 1:27 mark to take a two point lead. Lyndon tied it at the 0:55 mark with a jumper from Warrick. Brathwaite answered again with another impressive three; but Lyndon's Warrick drained another three to tie the game for the fourth time. Greene Jr. ended it with his buzzer beating layup.
Warrick led Lyndon with a game high 44 points, going 14-for-23 from the field and sending 14-of-16 free throws through the hoop.
Seniors Duncanson and Brathwaite played their last regular season game in Larry Mahaney Gymnasium today. Duncanson finished up with 30 points, going 12-for-21 from the free field, and grabbing four rebounds. Brathwaite also hit double figures with 19 points, going 6-for-9 from the field, and 10 rebounds.
DeVaughn led the Terriers with 38 points, 11 rebounds, and went 12-for-13 from the free throw line. Juco and Salvador both hit double figures as well; Juco hit 24 and Salvador banged in 23 points. Greene only points on the afternoon proved to be the most important in the game as they sealed the Terrier win.
"This was the most exciting win I have ever been a part of. Our guys showed a lot of guts and perseverance to comeback." – Thomas Head Coach TJ Maines
The Terriers will travel to Maine Maritime Academy on Tuesday February 15th for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.