Box Score
BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – Sam Scott nailed the first free throw of a two-shot foul with 15 seconds remaining in overtime to lift visiting West Chester to a 78-77 victory over host Bloomsburg in a PSAC Eastern Division men’s basketball contest inside Nelson Field House Saturday afternoon.
West Chester (12-3, 1-1 PSAC East) evened its league mark with the win while Bloomsburg (6-8, 0-2) dropped its second straight league tilt. The Golden Rams have now won three of their last six after opening the season on a nine-game winning streak.
Bloomsburg had one final opportunity for the win following Scott’s free throw. A loose ball in the lane under the hosts’ basket was awarded to the Huskies on the alternating possession. However, 0.4 seconds showed on the clock, and the inbounds lob pass hit the back of the backboard, turning over possession of the ball to West Chester.
The win marked the second OT victory for the Golden Rams this year. West Chester defeated Wilmington in five overtimes on Nov. 21.
The Golden Rams, who trailed by as many as nine in the second half, never held the lead in the second half until the final three minutes. A 3-pointer from Kehinde Roberts tied the game at 66-66 with 4:35 left, and then a jumper and a dunk from Ralph Hegamin, surrounding a free throw from Bloomsburg, gave West Chester its first lead of the game (70-67).
West Chester did have a chance to win the game in regulation. However, Kenneth St. George’s 3-pointer was blocked by Trevon Johnson with under 10 seconds left, and Hegamin’s three-ball bounced out at the buzzer.
Hegamin scored 14 of his team-high 21 points in the second half. Harley Williamson hit 8 of 10 free throws in the second half to spark the Rams’ comeback.
Bloomsburg shot 55 percent in the game, but misfired on all five shots it took in the overtime period. West Chester took advantage of 24 Bloomsburg turnovers to stage it’s second-half comeback.
Roberts finished with 15 points and St. George 10 as the Rams’ trio blazed the way Saturday afternoon.
Ruben Britt scored a game-high 23 points for Bloomsburg while Johnson added 20. Adon El added 14 off the bench.
West Chester returns to Hollinger Field House on Wednesday evening for a 5:30 p.m. showdown with cross-town rival Cheyney. All the action can be heard on 91.7 WCUR-FM ,or on the internet at Red Zone Media (www.redzonemedia.com).
