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READING, Pa. - With only seconds remaining in regulation Lebanon Valley's Jordan Stewart threw-up the shot of the season tying the game at 60-60 to force the first overtime period of the year in the Bollman Center. However, the magic of that shot did not carry over into the extra period as the first place Lions (15-2/6-1 CC) outscored the Dutchmen (6-10/2-5 CC) 8-3 in the final five minutes to take a 68-63 conference win Saturday afternoon.
Stewart's last second game tying shot was his only basket of the day as the Dutchmen dropped their sixth straight game since the start of the New Year.
In what was close contest most of the afternoon, Albright saw some standout play by junior Zac Shaeffer who led all scorers with 24 points. From the field Shaeffer was 8-for-17 while from behind the arc he was 4-for-11. At the line he was a perfect 4-for-4 and also recorded three assists, one block, and two steals.
His partner in crime Matt Ashcroft also finished in double-figures Saturday afternoon totaling 19 points on the day. Not only did the junior showcase his ability to hit the long shot, but he also demonstrated some amazing speed and athleticism under the basket as well.
Sophomore big-man Derek Hall led the red and white with 12 boards and added eight points of his own. Justin Plummer also put forth a tremendous effort against the Dutchmen pulling down 10 rebounds, while also tallying seven assists and one steal.
Through the first 10 minutes of play, Albright held a solid lead over the visiting Dutchmen. However the Lions hit a serious wall through the next five minutes, which allowed Lebanon Valley to take their nine point lead and tie at 21-21.
Albright would eventually hang onto a slim one point lead in the closing minutes of the half after a 1-of-2 showing at the line by the Dutchmen's Cameron Prince.
The start of the second half was just like the first, with Albright firing on all cylinders. It was not until the seven minute mark that the Lions hit that same exact wall again. At only one point did Lebanon Valley take control of the scoreboard, but with less than a minute to go, the Dutchmen trailed Albright by only one point.
Following two made free-throws by Shaeffer Albright was grasping to a three-point lead with 20 seconds left to play. The Dutchmen would initially try to tie the game, but were unable to convert the basket. On their next possession, Albright tried to seal the win, but was also unable to convert as well giving Lebanon Valley one last chance.
Taking full advantage of that opportunity was Stewart who banked his long shot off the backboard and in to even the score at 60-60. Looking like all the momentum was in favor of the Dutchmen the two team's stepped on the court for the first five minute period.
However any momentum the Dutchmen did have going into the overtime period was quickly lost following an early foul than back-to-back turnovers. Albright not wanting to waste an opportunity given to them quickly put up seven early points to take a 67-60 lead.
The Dutchmen's first basket of the overtime period came on a Joe Meehan free throw with 2:35 left to play.
Meehan would then cut Albright's lead to four on a lay-up with less than a minute to play. Unfortunately for the Dutchmen Meehan's last minute heroics were not enough as Albright sealed the win with a made free throw by Adam Van Zelst in the closing seconds.
Men's Basketball will take a week off from competition before returning to action next Saturday when they travel to Lycoming College for a 4 p.m. conference showdown.
