Harris Hits Key Free Throws
HUTCHINSON, Kan. -- Rulon Harris hit four free throws in the final 29.7 seconds to lift Schoolcraft College to an 84-81 overtime victory over Allegany College on Tuesday night at the NJCAA Tournament.
The Detroit bound Harris led all scorers with 29 points and also dished out six assists. He was a perfect seven of seven from the free throw line and also converted nine of his 11 shot attempts from the floor (including four of five three pointers).
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The Ocelots entered the game a perfect 32-0, and Harris ensured that Schoolcraft would stay unblemished by sending the game into the extra session. He was fouled in the act of hoisting a three with 36.1 seconds left, and calmly nailed three free throws to knot the game at 66.
Moments later, it looked at though Harris would win it in regulation for Schoolcraft, when he scooped up a Troy Godwin turnover and nailed a three pointer with 6.9 seconds to play.
But the Trojans' Trello Galloway knocked down a controversial running three pointer with 1.4 seconds left to deadlock the game at 69 and send it into the extra session.
On the play, it appeared as though Galloway might have been over the three point line when he released the three pointer as he was running toward the basket. One of the officials clearly signaled for a three pointer, but another wasn't so sure.
The refs conferred at center court and stuck with the intial ruling of the three.
In the overtime, Schoolcraft jumped out to a quick 75-71 lead with 3:05 left. Allegany had a chance to tie the game at 78 with 1:13 to play in OT, but swingman Jeremy Snyder converted just one of two free throws, allowing Schoolcraft to cling to a one point margin.
Snyder entered the game to shoot free throws for Allegany point guard Erick Wills, who left the game with cramps after being fouled on a drive to the basket.
In the final :51, Schoolcraft hit all six of its free throw attempts (two by Mike Williams, four by Harris) to help its chances for victory. But it wasn't until Shawn Wiggins missed a pair of free throws with 3.1 seconds to play that the Ocelots could rest easy.
In addition to Harris' fine play, Schoolcraft also got fine performances from forward Delvar Barrett (16 points) and Williams (15 points, 12 rebounds).
Jamar Smith led Allegany with 23 points and 12 rebounds. Wills and Galloway added 14 points apiece as five Trojan players eclipsed double figures in scoring.
Schoolcraft advanced to a quarterfinal round matchup on Thursday night against Itawamba C.C. of Mississippi. Allegany will battle Coastal Georgia on Thursday afternoon in a consolation bracket game at Hutch, with the loser going home.