PITTSBURGH, PA – La Roche (10-6, 6-3) overcame a sixteen point halftime deficit to beat Pitt-Greensburg 96-92 in a 2OT classic at the Fitness Center.
The Redhawks struggled from the floor in the first half as visiting Pitt-Greensburg took a 41-25 lead into halftime. Despite the struggles, La Roche held an advantage on the boards andLionel Perkins contributed 12 first half points.
La Roche came out motivated and started the half on a 13-0 run. The Redhawks played tough team defense and outrebounded the Bobcats by ten over the run to get back into the game. Perkins drained a three in transition at the 10:06 mark to tie it and Zaire Redding gave La Roche their first lead of the game two and a half minutes later when he sunk a free throw.David Jackson hit a hook shot in the paint to give the Redhawks a 63-62 lead with 47 seconds left but Greensburg's Rocco Contristano answered with a free throw to send it into overtime.
La Roche and the Bobcats traded a pair of baskets early in overtime but Pitt-Greensburg converted a three point play to go up 72-69. Perkins came down the floor and nailed a three to tie it up and David Jackson grabbed a big board with 27 second left to play to give the Redhawks the last shot. However, Pitt-Greensburg forced a turnover that sent it to a second overtime.
Torin Smith had two big 3-pointers and a pair of free throws to put up La Roche up five points but Greensburg's Contristano converted a 4-point play to get them within a point with 9 seconds left. Smith then hit a pair of free throws and Redding stole the inbounds pass as La Roche held on for the huge win.
Perkins finished with a game high 23 points and Redding netted a career-high 19 points and 5 blocks. Jackson (18 points, 17 rebounds) and Flanigan (10 points, 10 rebounds) each registered a double-double while Smith hit a trio of three pointers to finish with 13 points.
La Roche outrebounded Pitt-Greensburg 53-30 including 18-6 on the offensive glass. The Redhawks shot 44% (31 of 71) on the game and 73% (27 of 37) from the free throw line.
Men's hoops will travel to D'Youville College on Saturday for an AMCC Conference game. Tip-off is 1PM.