Victory Over Marian University at Ancilla College

After an up-and-down, injury-plagued regular season, the LMC Men's Basketball Team clinched a play-off spot for the third consecutive year after a triple overtime thriller at Marian University at Ancilla College on Saturday.

In a win-or-go-home game for both teams, neither team led by more than seven points in a game that featured 22 lead changes and 16 ties. The Red Hawks held a 68-65 lead with 25 seconds left in regulation when the Chargers were fouled on a three-point attempt, and all three free throws were made. After an LMC time-out, Jailen Campbell scored a clutch lay-up with six seconds left. Seconds later, the Chargers responded with a lay-up of their own, leading to the first overtime period.

The second overtime period was nearly identical to the rest of the game – many lead changes and ties, big plays, and a lot of emotions. The Red Hawks took a two-point lead into the final seconds of the overtime period when another Charger was fouled on a three-point attempt; this time, with .07 seconds remaining. Ancilla made the first free throw, missed the second, and made the third. The Red Hawks had shot at the buzzer, but the shot ended up short, leading to a third overtime period.

Ancilla started out hot in the third overtime, but the Red Hawks weathered the storm and came marching back. In a 90-90 tie, the Chargers made a perfect read on defense, jumped a pass, stole the ball from the Red Hawks, and broke away for a dunk, though, the Chargers missed the dunk and hung on the rim, resulting in a technical foul. The Red Hawks sunk both technical free throws, drew a foul call on the same possession and made both free throws, putting the Red Hawks up four points with just two minutes left. LMC never looked back and pulled out a 99-92 victory, clinching a playoff spot in the Region XII Men's Basketball Championship.

Kanden Davis finished with a game-high 26 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists. Skylar Samuel also made his presence known with a 19-point, nine-rebound performance and played stifling defense. Da'Marion Morris picked apart the Charger's defense, adding 15 points, six rebounds and six assists. Even after only playing four minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, Jailen Campbell notched a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, and added four assists and two steals. Finally, Zahyem Bradwell continued his stellar conference play with 13 points, nine rebounds, and two blocks.

The Red Hawks look to close out conference play on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at 7:30 pm. They will travel to Glen Oaks Community College on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 for the first game in the Great Lakes A Tournament.