South Georgia State Squeaks Past Salt Lake In Overtime
The closest game on the first day of the NJCAA Men’s DI National Championship was the last one, number six. The #12 Seed Salt Lake CC Bruins and the #21 Seed South Georgia State College Hawks couldn’t decide a winner in regulation, so they treated the fans to an additional five minutes.
With about 4 seconds left in regulation, Salt Lake’s Marvin Price (6’5″ SO from Baltimore, MD) grabbed a loose ball offensive rebound in the middle of the lane, drove to the basket putting in an off balance buzzer beater leaner to send the game to overtime.
In the extra period, South Georgia State took the first lead on a Jalen King (6’5″ SO from Columbus, GA) jumper, just 20 seconds in. Unfortunately for the Bruins, SGSC never relinquished that lead, eking out the 93-89 win. The game was tied twice during the extra five, but SLCC could never flip the score.
The game covered a wide spectrum of ebbs and flows. Salt Lake led by as many as 11 midway through the first half. South Georgia State, making their second tournament appearance (the first in 2011 as Waycross College), covered that spread and more, taking their biggest lead at 14, on a Bryce Brown (6’8″ SO, Atlanta, GA) lay-up, less than three minutes into the second half. The Hawks largest margin in OT was four.
With 18 ticks left in regulation, Price, who recorded a double-double (14 points-15 rebounds) hit a crib to pull them within one, 80-79. Five second later, the Hawks AJ Spencer was fouled, and hit the first of two free tosses. He missed the second and Price of the Bruins grabbed the rebound, dribbled through some traffic, and launched a three from the top of the key. The shot was off target, the Hawks got the rebound. Daniel Parrish 6’3″ SO from Aikens, SC) hit both throws, providing the final margin of victory.
Salt Lake CC, with a 8 previous tournament appearances, fall to 20-5. Jay Allen-Tovar (6’9″ SO from San Jose, CA) who also carded a DD, led the team with 20 points, adding 12 rebounds. Felix Lemetti netted 18, with 7 assists, Max Watson finished with 10.
King and Parrish led the way for the Hawks, each scoring 19. Parrish had a game high 21 boards for his double-double. Zae Wiggins rounded out the double digit scores for the Hawks with 10 points.
The win puts SGSC (24-3) into the second round against South Plains College, TX (17-2), who made the tourney as an at-large entry from the Southwest District. SPC, a three time national champion, is making their fifth straight appearance at Hutch, and twelfth overall. That game will be played on Wednesday, April 21 at 2:00.
