Daniel Webster Edges Men' s Basketball in Overtime

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College men's basketball season came to a close at the hands of sixth-seeded Daniel Webster College, 76-75, in overtime of the first round of the New England Collegiate Conference tournament Tuesday night at Picknelly Arena.

The thrilling, extra time affair featured 11 ties and 15 lead changes. Leading 5-4 after the opening two minutes, the Blazers took control off the scoreboard with a 10-4 run, capped off by layup from senior Kenny Lockett  (Atlanta, Ga.) at the 13:55 mark, to grab a 15-8 lead. The Eagles cut their deficit to one point, 17-16, behind an 8-2 run over the next two minutes. The Blazers rebuilt their cushion with a 11-2 run in three minutes, featuring six points from junior Jerry Buchanon (Windsor, Conn.), to take a 28-18 advantage. The teams exchanged baskets to close out the first half with Elms leading 34-28.

The Blazers continued to build their lead to open the second half, extending their advantage to 45-34 on a pair of free throws from Buchanon at the 15:52 mark. Daniel Webster roared back into the game, knotting the contest at 45-45 behind an 11-0 run featuring six points from sophomore Shawn Fenton (South River, N.J.) in a four-minute span. The squads remained within a possession of each other down the stretch, and a jumper from sophomore Ray Farmer (Nashua, N.H.) maintained a 54-54 tie. Trailing 64-60 with 15 seconds play, Buchanon drew a foul on a three-point attempt, earning three free throws. Buchanon buried his first two attempts, and on the final attempt, his shot hit off the side rim where Lockett leaped to secure the rebound and put back the loose ball, while drawing a foul. Lockett missed his free throw, sending the contest to overtime tied at 64-64.

In overtime, the Blazers grabbed an early 69-66 lead after three points from Lockett, but Daniel Webster junior Ryan Gauthier (Nashua, N.H.) knocked down a three-pointer down the other end to make it a 69-69 game. Following a jumper from Elms senior Piere Simpson (Hartford, Conn.), Gauthier drove the lane to pull the Eagles even at 73-73. Trailing 74-73 with less than 15 seconds to play, Buchanon raced down the floor, and floated a layup off the glass to give the Blazers a 75-74 lead. The Eagles were forced to foul, sending the Blazers to the line. After missing his first attempt, freshman Keeshaun King (Jacksonville, Fla.) was off on his second attempt, and sophomore Conny Ihearahu (Largo, Md.) was called for a loose ball foul while battling for the rebound. The call sent Fenton to the foul line where he knocked down both attempts. Buchanon missed a desperation half court shot, as the Eagles advanced to the Final Four with a 76-75 win.

Buchanon led all scorers with a game-high 33 points, shooting 10-of-22 from the floor, with three assists. Lockett netted 22 points and nine rebounds, while Ihearahu snared a team-best 11 rebounds with five points. Simpson had six points and four assists.

Daniel Webster had four scorers in double figures, led by a team-high 22 points from Gauthier. Fenton registered 16 points and eight rebounds, while Farmer added 12 points. Sophomore forward Michael Campbell (Mount Vernon, N.Y.) recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

The Eagles edged the Blazers in rebounding, 43-39, during the contest. Elms converted 41.3% (26-of-63) from the field, including 28.6% (4-of-14) from three-point, and 67.9% (19-of-28) from the free throw line. Daniel Webster shot 40.9% (27-of-66) from the floor, 11.8% (2-of-17) from three-point, and 76.9% (20-of-26) from the foul line.

The Blazers wrap the 2014-15 campaign with an 11-14 record, while the Eagles improve to 11-15 on the season. Daniel Webster advances to the semifinals to face second-seeded Regis College Friday evening at 8:00 p.m. at host Southern Vermont College.

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