SALEM, VA--The Roanoke College men's basketball team blew an 10-point lead in the final 2:44 of regulation but rebounded to outscore their opponents from Hobart College 11-1 in overtime to secure a 72-62 victory on Monday evening in the first round of the 12th Annual V-Foundation Classic. With the win, the Maroons improve to 4-5 on the season and snap a four-game losing streak. The Statesmen are now 3-4 on the year. In the first game of the tournament, Shenandoah University made 14 three-pointers on its way to an 86-54 win over Worcester State (MA).
Roanoke 72, Hobart 62 ot
The Maroons led 60-50 with 2:44 remaining in the second half, but got outscored 11-1 the rest of the way, as Hobart forced overtime on a Dan O'Grady put-back layup with just 0.08 second left on the clock. Holding that 10-point lead, the Maroons missed three free throws and committed three turnovers, allowing the Statesmen to climb back into the game. The Maroons also committed several fouls that allowed the Statesmen to make five free throws in the comeback.
Jared Butler gave Roanoke a 61-59 lead with one of two free throws with 14 seconds remaining, but out a timeout, the Statesmen missed two layups before O'Grady got his hands on the ball and scored the tying bucket.
The extra five-minute frame belonged to the Maroons, however, with the hosts outscored Hobart 11-1. After two free throws gave Roanoke a two-point edge, freshman Ben Shrader hit an off-balance three-pointer, as time was expiring on the shot clock, to give RC a 66-61 cushion. Hobart's Mike Manning then scored his team's lone point of the overtime, that a free throw with 1:31 left. Roanoke made six free throws late to seal the win.
Jared Butler led the Maroons with 14 points, while both Shrader and Tee Jackson scored 12. Freshman Josh LaPorte grabbed a career-high 13 rebounds in the win. Adam Frederic led the Statesmen with 15 points, with Mike Mastro chipping in 14 and O'Grady 12.
Shenandoah 86, Worcester State 54
Shenandoah shot 50.7 percent from the field and knocked down 14 three-point field goals in claiming the 32-point victory over Worcester State. The Hornets held as much as an 18-point lead in the first half and a 16-point lead at the break. The Hornets opened the second half on a 15-2 run to push their advantage out to 31 points. Worcester State's Tom Sullivan sparked a late rally that got the Lancers to within 21 points, 70-49, but that would be as close as they could get.
Shenandoah's Onyie Onunaku scored 11 points and added a game-high 17 rebounds. He also blocked four shots and dished out five assists. Kenneth Purnell led all scorers with 19 points, with Hornet teammates Chris Rhone and Jared Hale adding 15 and 18 points. Hale hit five of Shenandoah's 14 three-pointers. The team was 14-for-28 as a team from long range. Worcester State was led by Jermaine Cannon and Brandon Brooks who each had 11 points.
Roanoke will play Shenadoah at 7:00pm on Tuesday in the tournament championship, with Hobart and Worcester State playing the consolation at 5:00pm.
