Garnet Lose Heartbreaker to Washington in OT, 80-70
CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Senior Danny Walker hit the game-tying lay-up with 1.5 seconds left in regulation to help the Swarthmore College men's basketball team rally from an eight-point second half deficit to force overtime, but homestanding Washington College scored 20 points in overtime as the Garnet lost a heartbreaker to the Shoremen 80-70 (OT) on Wednesday evening.
Walker hit the game-tying lay-up with 1.5 seconds left in the game.
Washington guard Andrew Chambers led all scorers with 24 points, while fellow guard Mark DeBoy added 11 points to give the Shoremen (3-4, 1-2) their first conference win of the season. Reigning Centennial Conference Player of the Week freshman Will Gates led the Garnet (1-7, 1-2) with 15 points - including four of Swat's eight three-pointers for the game - and nine rebounds.
The Garnet, looking to win its first road game since winning at Washington on January 24, 2007, rallied from an eight-point deficit early in the second half thanks to a 17-2 following halftime. Back-to-back baskets from freshman Jordan Martinez gave the Garnet a 48-41 with 12:43 remaining in the game, stunning the crowd of over 300 at the Cain Athletics Center.
From there, the Shoremen slowly chipped away at the Garnet's lead, finally getting back on top at 59-58 thanks to an Alan Kines free throw with :14 second remaining in the game. But the resilient Swat squad forced overtime thanks to the heroics of its two seniors. With the Shoremen up 59-58 and :09 seconds remaining in regulation, Washington's Chambers could only hit one of two free-throws, giving Swat one last chance. With the seconds ticking away, senior Matt Allen drove the length of the floor and tread the needle to find an open Walker on the right block, who hit the game-tying lay-up in the final seconds, sending the game into overtime.
But in overtime, the Shoremen shot a perfect 14-of-14 from the free-throw line to earn the hard-fought 80-70 victory over Swarthmore.
Walker finished with 12 points for the Garnet, while Martinez (11) and Allen (10) also finished in double-figures. Allen finished with a season-high nine assists.
The Garnet return to action on Saturday, January 2, when it travels to Washington & Lee for the Washington & Lee Tournament.