Wooster, Ohio -- University of Lynchburg graduate student Isräel Lockamy came up big down the stretch in the E. M. "Mose" Hole/Wooster Kiwanis Classic Wednesday evening. Lockamy sank the go-ahead shot and totaled 13 points, four assists, and two steals as the Hornets beat Muskingum 94-90.
Lockamy and T.C. Thacker scored the first two buckets for Lynchburg but the Hornets trailed early. Muskingum built an 11-point lead with a 3-pointer at the 12:34 mark.
Miles Taylor responded on the next possession after grabbing an offensive rebound and going up strong. The sophomore finished through contact and converted the subsequent free throw, bringing his team back within single digits, 19-10.
Halfway through the first, Tharon Suggs converted an old-fashioned 3-point play of his own, cutting the deficit to six. Thacker followed his teammates' trend of finishing contested shots and also earned a trip to the line after a made bucket. His free throw drew the Hornets within three points of the Muskies.
Noah Bullock sank a 3-pointer after a Muskingum jumper as the Hornets trailed 36-34 with 5:07 to play in the opening half.
However, do not call it a comeback just yet. Muskingum's Alex Masinelli helped the Muskies keep pace in the closing minute with a 3-pointer. Masinelli finished the night with 43 points, the second-most points in the history of Wooster's tournament.
Lockamy gave the Hornets some momentum heading into halftime with a buzzer-beating 3 and the Hornets trailed 48-44 at the break.
Tharon Suggs cut the deficit to two shortly after play resumed with a jumper. Lynchburg stayed close in the first ten minutes of the second, but could not grab hold of a lead just yet. Midway through final half, Lockamy came up with a steal and Dow Dunton made a layup after an offensive rebound as the Hornets trailed 64-62.
Over the next four minutes, Muskingum rebuilt a double-digit lead and the Muskies secured their largest lead, 80-68, with only 6:10 to play.
Thacker ignited the comeback as the clock read 2:55. The graduate student snagged one of his five offensive boards and converted the layup. Suggs made two technical free throws 15 seconds later. On the ensuing possession, Lockamy grabbed an offensive rebound and found Parham for a 3, cutting the deficit to 86-83. On the other end of the floor, Lockamy stole the ball and made the fast break layup.
Barely clinging to the lead, Muskingum traded buckets with Lynchburg under two minutes until Suggs found Trey Pittman for the game-tying shot from downtown.
With 39 seconds left, Lockamy gave his team their first lead of the game with a driving layup.
Okay, now call it a comeback. Parham converted a set of free throws and helped ice the 94-90 come-from-behind victory for the Hornets.
Parham's 13 points signaled one of five Hornets scoring in double figures. Carrington Young scored 10 and Lockamy had 13. Thacker handled another double-double with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Suggs led Lynchburg in scoring for the fourth time with 23 points.
Lynchburg won the battle down low. The Hornets outrebounded Muskingum by five and also grabbed 16 offensive boards. Lynchburg also feasted on 42 points in the paint with 24 second-chance points.
The Hornets (8-2, 2-0 ODAC) continue play on Thursday against Wooster at 7 p.m.
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--LYN--