CALDWELL, N.J. – The Assumption University men's basketball rallied from down 17 points in the first half to come away with an 81-78 overtime win against Caldwell University in non-conference action Tuesday afternoon.
THE BASICS
Score: Assumption University 81, Caldwell University 78 - OT
Records: Greyhounds (6-5, 3-3 NE10), Cougars (4-6, 0-1 CACC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Greyhounds opened up with a 7-4 lead, with
Daouda Dembele opening his night with a straightaway three-ball; however, Caldwell got two buckets back to get a small lead of their own. The Cougars soared to a quick 17-9 lead on their nine-point run, forcing Assumption into a short timeout. The Hounds came out of the break knocking down a three-ball through
Kani Glover, which was quickly replied to by Darnell Evans, whose layup gave him an early nine points. The Cougars were hot from the field to start, shooting 85.7 percent as Mark Heber's long-range shot put Caldwell up 11 with 11:00 minutes remaining. The Hounds were shooting at a 44 percent clip and looked to stay within range with the Cougars, as Assumption trailed 38-23 with six minutes left in the half. With 5:20 remaining, Assumption called a timeout, trailing by 17 and having not scored for over two minutes of play. Out of the break,
Njavan Stewart got on the board with a three as the Hounds tried to swing momentum into their favor. Assumption ripped off a quick 8-0 run to get back within seven points with two minutes left, followed by a drive-by Glover for his eighth point on the day.
Alex Carlisle converted on two free throws to end the half as the Hounds trailed 43-38.
The Cougars and Hounds exchanged layups early, as the Cougars had a quick eight-point lead out of the halftime break. A quick five points between Carlisle and Dembele made it a three-point game as the Hounds looked to lock in defensively. Both teams would struggle from the field for a few possessions as the score stayed close. With 11:40 to go, Assumption would head into a timeout and trail 58-52. Back-to-back Stewart buckets got the Hounds back within three with less than ten remaining after trailing by as much as 15 in the first half. The Hounds went scoreless for a couple of minutes, allowing the Cougars to add a basket to their slight lead. With the possession down three, Assumption got back to the line through Stewart, who knocked down both free throws, pulling the Hounds within one with three minutes remaining. Finally, Assumption got the lead back through Glover, pulling off an 8-0 run under two minutes. With 34 seconds to go down by three, the Hounds held possession coming out of the timeout, and Stewart knocked down a big three to tie the game. Caldwell had a chance to win on a buzzer-beater but could not hit the jumper as the game headed to overtime. The game remained tied at 76-76 with just about a minute to go in overtime after both sides exchanged a couple of baskets. After Darnell Evans gave the Cougars a lead, Glover nailed a big-time three to give the Hounds a one-point advantage with only 14 seconds remaining and followed it up with a big-time steal. Glover was fouled and converted on both free throws. After a last chance by the Cougars to tie, they could not score, and Assumption crawled back for a huge victory on the road, 81-78.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- The trio of Daouda Dembele, Kani Glover, and Njavan Stewart combined to stuff the stat sheet with 57 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, and eight steals.
- Caldwell outrebounded Assumption 41-37.
- Assumption held Caldwell to 3-for-15 (20.0 percent) shooting from long-range while shooting 9-for-20 (45.0 percent) themselves.
- Assumption now leads the all-time series 4-2.
UP NEXT
- AU vs. Dominican (N.Y.), Saturday, December 30, 3:30 pm
- CU at Bridgeport, Saturday, December 30, 3:00 pm
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