ANNVILLE, Pa. – Freshman
DeJuan Smith made two free throws with 0.4 seconds remaining in regulation lifting Albright to a 78-77 victory over Lebanon Valley in a Commonwealth Conference game on Saturday in Sorrentino Gymnasium.
The two free throws capped a wild finish to the game.
Kevin Agnew, who led Lebanon Valley with a game-high 33 points, converted a layup with 0.4 seconds to play giving the Dutchmen a 77-76 lead but the Dutchmen were assessed a technical foul when the Lebanon Valley bench players ran on the floor in celebration thinking the game was over.
Smith then calmly sank two free throws giving Albright an improbable victory and a season sweep of the series against the Dutchmen.
Sophomore
Omari Ringgold tied his career high with 25 points and Smith finished with 22 points leading the Lions.
Evan Ward added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Lions, while
Evan Dunn finished with a career-high nine rebounds.
Andy Orr added 18 points for Lebanon Valley and Zach Mrozek finished with 14 points.
Albright, which improved to 8-10 overall and 4-6 in the Commonwealth Conference, shot 56.3 percent from the floor including 61.9 percent in the second half.
Lebanon Valley dropped to 11-9 overall and 5-6 in conference play with the loss.
Albright jumped out to a big lead early in the first half.
Vince Lombardi ignited a 10-0 run with a three-pointer, and the Lions took their largest lead of the game at 25-10 with 9:22 to play in the first half.
The Dutchmen would rally behind the play of Agnew. He scored six straight points to bring Lebanon Valley to within 31-25 with 3:33 remaining in the opening half.
A basket by Dunn pushed the lead to 33-25, but Agnew and Mrozek converted layups to trim the Albright lead to 33-29 with 1:11 to play.
Ringgold and Ward closed the first half with baskets for Albright giving the Lions a 37-29 lead at the break.
The Lions took their largest lead of the second half at 54-40 following a three-pointer by Ringgold and a layup by Smith with 14:58 to play.
A 5-0 run by the Dutchmen cut the Albright lead to 56-49 with 11:41 to play in the game.
Smith made a basket and one of two free throws to increase the Albright lead to 59-49 at the 11:07 mark of the second half.
Lebanon Valley responded with an 8-2 run that cut the Albright lead to 61-57 with 7:56 remaining in the game.
The teams traded baskets over the next six minutes and the Lions held a seemingly safe 75-70 lead with 27 seconds to play following two free throws from Smith.
Mrozek brought Lebanon Valley to within 75-73 with a three-pointer with 21 seconds left, and following an Albright turnover, the Dutchmen tied the game at 75-75 on a layup by Agnew with 17 seconds left.
Ringgold made the first of two free throws with 13.4 seconds left giving Albright a 76-75 lead. Ringgold missed the second attempt, but Dunn rebounded the miss and was fouled.
Dunn missed both of his free throw attempts and the Dutchmen rebounded the second miss and got the ball to Agnew. His first attempt was off the mark, but he rebounded his own miss and scored with 0.4 seconds to play setting off the celebration that ultimately cost Lebanon Valley the game.
Albright returns to action on Wednesday (Feb. 4) when it visits Stevenson for an 8 p.m. Commonwealth Conference game.