GREENSBORO, N.C. – Jim Gordon's layup off a missed free throw with five seconds left in double overtime gave 15th-ranked Emory University a thrilling 69-66 men's basketball victory over Guilford College Saturday in the Guilford Invitational Final.
The Eagles (2-1) staved off defeat in each of the final three periods an exciting game filled with comebacks and clutch baskets. Emory's Christopher Avant made one of two free throws with four-tenths of a second left in regulation to forced the first extra frame, completing an Eagles' rally from five points down with 1:31 remaining. His jumper with a second left at the end of the first overtime sent the game into another period.
Guilford's Jarrod Rogers, who scored eight of his 11 points in overtime, put Guilford ahead, 66-65, with 18 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Emory leading scorer Adam Gigax was fouled with 6.5 seconds remaining and his team down one. He missed both shots, but the Beau Bommarito tipped the rebound over his defender forward to Gordon on the low post where Gordon banked in the go-ahead bucket.
The Quakers threw away the ensuing inbounds pass, which Gordon collected. He was fouled and iced the victory with two free throws.
Gigax finished with a game-high 26 points thanks in part to six-of-10 shooting from three-point range. Avant collected a double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out early in the second overtime. Gordon finished with 10 and Whit Rapp contributed nine points, five assists and two steals. Austin DaGue chipped in seven points and 12 boards off the bench, including seven offensive rebounds.
Dominique Henderson paced four Quakers in double-figure scoring with 17 points, but didn't score after halftime. Rogers, who also had four assists, and Carson Long added 11 points apiece. Alston Thompson had six of his 10 points in overtime and grabbed a game-high 13 boards. Zachary Houston enjoyed a solid all-around night with eight points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a game-best five steals.
In Saturday's consolation game, William Peace University overcame a five-point halftime deficit for an 81-72 victory over the University of Texas at Dallas. Dakota King's 16 points and eight rebounds led the Pacers (2-1), who had a 49-10 edge in bench scoring. Ryan Emfinger posted a double-double off the bench with 14 points and 10 boards.
Jon Hatcher led the Comets (0-3) with 19 points, followed by Caleb Banks' 18. Reagan Keogh had 14 points, 10 rebounds and two steals.
Guilford returns to action Tuesday (11/22) at Averett University at 7:00 p.m.