MBB Takes Conn College to OT Before Falling

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Matt Vadas scored a team-best 19 points and ignited the Camels on an 11-0 run late in the second half as Connecticut College erased a 62-53 deficit and went on to defeat Mitchell College 80-77 in overtime.

The Camels improved to 7-15 overall with the triumph, while the improving Mariners fell to 5-15.

John Bullitt chipped in with 18 points and five boards for the hosts. Rob Harrigan was 4-for-5 from three-point range en route to his 12-point effort, and Mason Lopez chipped in with 11 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Camels.

Mitchell College sophomore Joshua Ford exploded with a game- and season-high 30 points and eight rebounds, shooting 12-for-16 from the field. Senior Terrance Fisher chipped in with 12 points, six rebounds and five assists while classmates Paul Jefferson and Enoch Contreras reached double digits with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

The Mariners went on a 14-to-4 run to build their nine-point advantage. Ford was productive in the post area and Jefferson capped the rally with consecutive field goals, burying a three-ball from the left side with 4:27 remaining to make it a 62-53 game.

But the Camels responded with a run of their own, and Vadas led the charge for the home team. Harrigan scored a trifecta with 1:55 remaining to make it a 62-60 game. After Vadas converted a pair of free throws to tie the game, Boris Jeremic made a steal and assisted Vadas for a deuce to put the Camels on top 64-62 with 36 seconds left.

The Mariners were not done, however, and when Fisher assisted Ford for a bucket in the paint with two seconds left, the game was knotted at 64-64 and headed for the extra session.

With 2:38 remaining in overtime, Jeremic assisted Lopez for a hoop on a nifty backdoor cut to put the Camels on top 71-68. Later on with 1:32 remaining, Vadas buried a triple from the left side, executing on a pick and pop play with Lopez's assistance.

But the Mariners simply would not go away and with three seconds left, Contreras buried a three from the top of the key to pull the visitors to within one in a 78-77 game.

Jeremic converted a pair of free throws with 1.5 seconds left to put the Camels on top by three. Contreras took the inbounds pass and heaved one from mid-court, but the shot went off the back rim as time expired and the Camels prevailed with the 80-77 triumph.

Connecticut College outscored Mitchell 24-to-8 at the foul line and held a 35-to-28 advantage on the backboards.

Mitchell returns to conference play at home against Newbury College on Saturday, February 11 at 2 p.m.