READING (PA) – In a triple-overtime thriller that saw 12 players reach double figures in scoring, it was Buena Vista University that outlasted Delaware Valley College, 114-107, in the opening round of the Albright College Holiday Tournament.
The Aggies, who were playing their first game in 12 days, fell to 6-5 on the season and will take on the host Lions in Tuesday's consolation game (2:00 p.m.). Buena Vista (6-4) will battle Hartwick College in the title contest.
It was top-level Division III play as both teams shot over 43 percent from the field and combined for 21 3-pointers. There were nine lead changes and six ties, including five lead changes in the second overtime alone.
Delaware Valley came flying out of the game and scored the first 14 points of the game in just three minutes. Chris Moran had six of the points while Francis Arnold and Jay Donovan had three apiece.
The Aggies never lost the lead in the first half and still held a double digit advantage when the Beavers ran off seven straight to end the stanza and pull to within three at 35-32.
Buena Viesta took its first lead just two minutes into the second half and built it up to as many as six at 64-58. Back came Delaware Valley with a 14-1 spurt, highlight by Manny Ochenje's seven points, for a 72-65 advantage with 4:30 remaining. The Aggies were still up three in the closing seconds when Alex Savage drained a 3-pointer with three ticks to go to send the game to overtime.
In the first extra session, the Beavers led by one when Moran stepped outside and hit a 3-pointer with 1:24 to go for an 82-80 lead. Cole Darrow tied it up 30 seconds later and both teams missed treys in the final 25 seconds.
The second overtime saw Buena Vista up by three after a Savage jumper with 57 ticks left. Moran hit another key bomb with 46 seconds to go. Back came the Beavers and they regained the lead on a Kennedy Drey layup with 36 seconds left. Nick Sullivan was fouled on a drive with 12 ticks to go and the Aggie senior calmly sank both to tie the game at 94-94. Buena Viesta could not get a shot off at the end and the game headed to a third overtime.
The Beavers scored the first seven points of the final overtime period and Delaware Valley never got closer than four points the rest of the way.
Moran was spectacular in defeat as he played 49 minutes and finished with 32 points thanks 12-for-24 from the field, including the two big treys in overtime. Arnold tallied 23 points, six assists, five rebounds and five steals. Ochenje came off the bench and had his best performance in an Aggie uniform as he finished with 15 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots. Barry Brockington added 11 points and eight boards while Sullivan finished with 10 points.
Buena Vista placed seven players in double figures, led by Nick Clark's 25 points. Drey (14 points, 14 rebounds) and Brett Heitkamp (10 points, 13 rebounds) each had double-doubles for the Beavers.