VIDEO: NJIT Highlights
NEWARK, NJ - The NJIT men's basketball team went to overtime for the second-straight game on Wednesday, ultimately falling to visiting Binghamton 72-71 at the Wellness and Events Center.
Binghamton's Dan Petcash drilled a three-pointer with just under 10 seconds to play in the extra period to turn a two-point NJIT lead into a one-point advantage for the Bearcats. NJIT's
Raheim Sullivan took the ball to the hoop in the final seconds, but was unable to get a shot off as the Highlanders dropped the overtime game just three days after defeating Maine on the road in overtime.
Sullivan forced overtime with a heroic three-pointer with just under one second to play in regulation.
Adam Hess was able to get an offensive rebound in the final seconds and find
Miles Coleman, who dished it to Sullivan at the top of the key for the big shot.
Binghamton scored the first eight points fo the game and led by as many 12 in the first half. The Bearcats took a 33-21 advantage into the locker room at halftime and extended the lead to 13 early in the second half.
The Highlanders scored seven in a row midway through the second half to cut into the lead and eventually tied the game at 52 on a pull-up jumper from Coleman with just over seven minutes on the clock. The teams traded the lead several times down the stretch in regulation until a pair of free throws from Jacob Falko made the score 61-58 with 23 seconds to play in regulation.
It took three attempts, but the third time was a charm as Sullivan's shot went down to force the extra period.
In overtime, the teams traded baskets early before an old-fashioned three-point play from Coleman put the Highlanders up by three with 3:19 to play. Hess answered a Binghamton two-pointer with one of his own to put the hosts back up by three with 2:26 on the clock.
Falko converted a layup to make it a one-point game, but NJIT once again answered. This time is was
Kevin Osawe, who made the score 70-67 with just over a minute on the clock.
Petcash once again made it a one-point game and after Sullivan went 1-for-2 from the line Petcash became the hero, hitting a corner three-pointer to give the Bearcats the road victory.
Osawe recorded his fourth double-double of the season, finishing with 18 points and 15 rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Coleman and Hess, who finished with 17 and 15 points, respectively.
Petcash led all scorers with 21 points, including the three biggest points of the evening.
NJIT will look to get back into the win column on Saturday when it hosts UAlbany. Tip-off is slated for 7pm in the Wellness and Events Center.
