GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — EJ Reese delivered a game-winning dunk with two seconds remaining, and Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College survived a frantic final possession to defeat Indiana University South Bend 64-63 on Friday afternoon in the Aquinas Drury Inn Classic.
The dramatic victory gave the Pomeroys (1-1) their first win of the young season after overcoming a four-point deficit in the final 28 seconds. Reese led SMWC with 16 points and seven rebounds, shooting an efficient 7-for-9 from the field in just 21 minutes off the bench.
Trailing 63-59 after a Chris Hurt layup with 28 seconds remaining, the Pomeroys mounted a furious comeback.
Zayvion Baker connected on a clutch 3-pointer off an assist from
Terrance Hill with 12 seconds left, cutting the deficit to one. Following an IU South Bend missed free throw in the closing seconds,
Amadou Ceesay secured the defensive rebound, setting the stage for Reese's emphatic game-winning dunk with two seconds on the clock.
SMWC then held firm defensively as time expired, completing the thrilling comeback and securing the one-point victory.
The Pomeroys established control early, scoring the game's first six points behind baskets from Hill and Ceesay. After the Titans briefly moved ahead midway through the opening half, SMWC responded with an offensive surge sparked by Reese, who scored 12 of his 16 points before halftime.
Baker knocked down a 3-pointer to push the Pomeroys ahead 17-13 before Hill followed with a triple of his own.
Mike Elliott added another from beyond the arc as SMWC stretched its advantage to double digits. The Pomeroys carried a 34-25 lead into halftime after holding IU South Bend to 33.3% shooting in the opening period.
SMWC continued to build its advantage early in the second half.
Ben Chestnut connected from long range to make it 43-33, and Baker followed with another 3-pointer to extend the lead to 46-35. Elliott provided a significant spark off the bench, scoring nine second-half points, including a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws that gave the Pomeroys their largest lead of the game at 53-41 with 10:09 remaining.
IU South Bend (1-1) refused to go away, using a barrage of perimeter shots to erase the deficit. Andrew Hedgepeth connected on consecutive 3-pointers to trim the margin to 57-55 with just over five minutes remaining. Hill temporarily steadied the Pomeroys with two free throws, but the Titans continued their charge.
A 3-pointer from AJ Dunn pulled IU South Bend within one before another Hedgepeth triple gave the Titans a 61-59 advantage with 1:16 remaining. Hurt's basket with 28 seconds left extended the lead to four, setting up the dramatic final sequence.
Hill finished with 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals, while Baker added 12 points and six rebounds, connecting on three 3-pointers. Elliott provided 12 points off the bench on 3-for-5 shooting, including two triples, and converted all four of his free-throw attempts.
Thomas Girma contributed five rebounds and four assists, while
KC Chandler added three assists and three rebounds. Ceesay finished with four points and four rebounds, including the critical defensive board in the final seconds.
The Pomeroys shot 40% from the field and converted 9 of 10 free throws while holding a 43-37 rebounding advantage. SMWC also recorded 17 assists on 24 made field goals and outscored the Titans 30-23 in bench points and 25-8 in second-chance opportunities.
Hurt led IU South Bend with 15 points, while Hedgepeth added 14 points, including four 3-pointers. Dunn contributed 13 points for the Titans.
Up Next: Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College concludes its appearance at the Aquinas Drury Inn Classic on Saturday, Oct. 31, against the University of St. Francis (Ill.). Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
