Mike Baldarelli hits buzzer beater to lift Assumption men's basketball past New York Tech, 71-69

December 29, 2008

Assumption 71, New York Institute of Technology 69

BROOKVILLE, NY --- Sophomore forward MIKE BALDARELLI (Sutton, MA/Holy Name) scored 24 points (with seven rebounds, four steals) including the game-winning basket with two seconds left to lift Assumption College past New York Institute of Technology, 71-69, in the first round of the L.I.U.-C.W. Post Tournament at the Pratt Center Monday.

It was the second time this season that Baldarelli has hit a game-winner on the final shot of a game. He hit a three-pointer at the buzzer as the Greyhounds defeated Stonehill, 54-53, on December 6.

It was also the second time this season that the Greyhounds prevailed in this non-conference rivalry. They defeated the Bears, 86-84, in the first round of the University of Bridgeport Mixer on November 15.

In the second game C.W. Post defeated Saint Rose, 74-61. Today's schedule in the two-day mixer has Saint Rose meeting New York Tech at 5 p.m. and the Greyhounds clashing with C.W. Post at 7 p.m.

New York Tech held a wide advantage at the free throw line converting 28-of-38 attempts with senior guard BRYANT LASSITER (Bayshore, NY/Bayshore) making 14-of-17 en route to a game-high 25-point performance along with 10 rebounds. He scored 20 of his points in a superb second-half performance.

The Greyhounds held the largest first-half advantage at 31-24 with 2:35 remaining as Baldarelli converted an offensive rebound off his own missed free throw. The Bears however outscored the Greyhounds 8-1 the remainder of the half to forge a 32-32 deadlock.

A layin by senior forward MICKELL VICKERS (Babylon, NY/Babylon) (16 points, 7 rebounds) with 12:29 remaining put New York Tech in front by seven points, 49-42. The Bears maintained that advantage and increased it to eight points on another Vickers layin with 6:35 to make it 61-53 with 6:13 left.

A pair of free throws by postgraduate forward GREG TWOMEY (Groton, MA/Groton-Dunstable), a three-pointer by sophomore guard COURTLAND BLUFORD (Fort Washington, MD/Saint Vincent Pallotta), a layup by Baldarelli and finally a layup by Bluford with 4:26 left put the Greyhounds in front, 62-61.

The Bears clawed their way back into a tie at 67-67 as junior forward ARTHUR BRASWELL (Compton, CA/Westchester) (11 points, 7 rebounds) connected on a paint jumper with 2:32 left. Junior guard ANTHONY CLARKE (Cambria Heights, NY/Holy Cross) made one of two free throws with 1:37 remaining to give New York Tech its final lead at 68-67.

Freshman guard KEVIN DONAHUE (Southington, CT/Pawcatuck) drilled a wing jumper before the Bears Lassiter made one-of two free throws to tie it at 69-69 to set the stage for Baldarelli's final shot.

Twomey added 15 points and Bluford 11 points in support roles for the Greyhounds.

Both teams enter Tuesday's action with 6-4 overall records.

Click here for ASSUMPTION-NEW YORK TECH box score