Harris leads SSCC to win in 3rd overtime
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
USCAA Division I season assists leader Ty Harris not only assisted the Southern State Patriots to a triple-overtime win Wednesday night, but the nation's assists leader was the one scoring the points in the final seconds to lead SSCC to their 23rd win of the season.
The shot converted by Harris was a "one in a million" shot by the sophomore, as he shot an off-balanced, one-handed basket, with not only defensive pressure outside the paint, but enough pressure to be fouled with 1.4 seconds left in the third OT. The ball, once released, just arched toward the hoop and straight through the net to give the Patriots the win.
The day was a roller coaster for SSCC, as they knew they were not being invited to play in the eight-team USACC Division I national tournament, even though they had just three losses on the season.
"Our players played with a lot of heart in the second half to pull off a very exciting triple-overtime victory to end their season," SSCC head coach Travis McAvene said. "We played very flat in the first half and had no energy. We deserved to get invited to play in the USCAA Division I National Tournament, and our players started the game with a lot of frustration and resentment.
"I told our players at halftime to let that situation go and end their season on a positive note. They responded and played with urgency throughout the second half like champions."
Since the win, the Patriots (23-3) have been invited to a six-team postseason tournament in West Virginia, extending their season, as they were left out of what was their ultimate goal of being included in the national tournament in Pennsylvania.
After the first half, SSCC trailed 39-28 but responded with a second half of 43-32 to force the overtime. In the first OT, each team scored 10 points, and in the second OT, each team added seven points to their overall totals.[[In-content Ad]]
SSCC outscored WVU-P won their third OT and the game with a 10-8 third OT period.
"I'm very proud of this team, and they have a lot to be proud of with all of their accomplishments this season," McAvene said. "Southern State now has a nationally known and ranked men's basketball program that will not be satisfied until given the opportunity to compete for a national championship."
Ty Harris and Kam Harris led SSCC with 18 points each. Martise McLaurin followed with 17 points, and Diondrey Holt finished with 16 points.
Ty Harris ended the regular season by leading the USCAA Div. I with 8.5 assists per game, and McLaurin was fourth in the USCAA in scoring per game, while No. 1 in rebounds and blocks per game.
Also scoring for SSCC were Jalen Gordon with six points and Dante Bryant with two. Javon Freshwater and Brandon Whitlock each finished with three points.
Ty Harris led with five assists. McLaurin led with six blocks and totaled a double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds. McLaurin also led with three steals.
SSCC finished 11-of-17 from the free-throw line and shot 46 percent from the field. The Patriots totaled 37 rebounds (25 offensive).
The Patriots finish with the most successful season in overall sports history at SSCC, and they finished the season No. 1 in the USCAA Div. I in scoring per game at 96 points per game.
SSCC also finished sixth in the final Div. I power rankings and No. 2 in the USCAA Div. I with overall best record and winning percentage.
Also this season, the Patriots beat the No. 1 ranked (USCAA Div. II) team in Valor College twice and defeated Sinclair CC and Miami University-Middletown for the first time.
The shot converted by Harris was a "one in a million" shot by the sophomore, as he shot an off-balanced, one-handed basket, with not only defensive pressure outside the paint, but enough pressure to be fouled with 1.4 seconds left in the third OT. The ball, once released, just arched toward the hoop and straight through the net to give the Patriots the win.
The day was a roller coaster for SSCC, as they knew they were not being invited to play in the eight-team USACC Division I national tournament, even though they had just three losses on the season.
"Our players played with a lot of heart in the second half to pull off a very exciting triple-overtime victory to end their season," SSCC head coach Travis McAvene said. "We played very flat in the first half and had no energy. We deserved to get invited to play in the USCAA Division I National Tournament, and our players started the game with a lot of frustration and resentment.
"I told our players at halftime to let that situation go and end their season on a positive note. They responded and played with urgency throughout the second half like champions."
Since the win, the Patriots (23-3) have been invited to a six-team postseason tournament in West Virginia, extending their season, as they were left out of what was their ultimate goal of being included in the national tournament in Pennsylvania.
After the first half, SSCC trailed 39-28 but responded with a second half of 43-32 to force the overtime. In the first OT, each team scored 10 points, and in the second OT, each team added seven points to their overall totals.[[In-content Ad]]
SSCC outscored WVU-P won their third OT and the game with a 10-8 third OT period.
"I'm very proud of this team, and they have a lot to be proud of with all of their accomplishments this season," McAvene said. "Southern State now has a nationally known and ranked men's basketball program that will not be satisfied until given the opportunity to compete for a national championship."
Ty Harris and Kam Harris led SSCC with 18 points each. Martise McLaurin followed with 17 points, and Diondrey Holt finished with 16 points.
Ty Harris ended the regular season by leading the USCAA Div. I with 8.5 assists per game, and McLaurin was fourth in the USCAA in scoring per game, while No. 1 in rebounds and blocks per game.
Also scoring for SSCC were Jalen Gordon with six points and Dante Bryant with two. Javon Freshwater and Brandon Whitlock each finished with three points.
Ty Harris led with five assists. McLaurin led with six blocks and totaled a double-double with a team-high 11 rebounds. McLaurin also led with three steals.
SSCC finished 11-of-17 from the free-throw line and shot 46 percent from the field. The Patriots totaled 37 rebounds (25 offensive).
The Patriots finish with the most successful season in overall sports history at SSCC, and they finished the season No. 1 in the USCAA Div. I in scoring per game at 96 points per game.
SSCC also finished sixth in the final Div. I power rankings and No. 2 in the USCAA Div. I with overall best record and winning percentage.
Also this season, the Patriots beat the No. 1 ranked (USCAA Div. II) team in Valor College twice and defeated Sinclair CC and Miami University-Middletown for the first time.