MEDFORD, Mass. - Visiting Regis College hit three free throws in the final 33 seconds of the second overtime period to make the difference in a dramatic, 80-77, come-from-behind victory at Tufts University in non-league men's basketball action on Tuesday night at Cousens Gym.
Tufts had led 41-28 at halftime, but Regis battled back to tie the score 67-67 at the end of regulation. The Pride did not have a lead in the game until the first overtime, when they built a 71-67 advantage on Jonathan Josselin's (Medford, Mass.) layup at the two-minute mark. However, Tufts senior Alex Orchowski (Cornwall, N.Y.), who poured in a game-high 35 points, hit four unanswered free throws to tie the score at 71-71 with 18 seconds remaining in the first extra session. Regis had that amount of time to score a winning basket, but Ryan Chambers' (Abington, Mass.) three attempt missed its mark as time expired.
Into the second OT, a traditional three-point play by Orchowski put Tufts up 74-71 early. With the Jumbos leading 75-73, Josselin scored a layup to make it 75-75 with 2:41 on the clock. Sophomore Ahmad Charles (Cambridge, Mass.) blocked a Tufts shot at the other end, and another Josselin layup gave the Pride a 77-75 lead with 1:52 remaining. Tufts sophomore Tom Folliard (Richmond, Va.) answered with a jumper for a 77-77 tie with 53 seconds left.
Regis freshman guard Osanto Marc (Kissimmee, Fla.), who spearheaded their second-half comeback, was fouled with 33 seconds remaining in the second overtime. He made one of two for a 78-77 Pride lead. The Jumbos went inside to Orchowski at the other end, but he was whistled for a charge. In the bonus, Chambers hit two freebies to give the visitors an 80-77 margin with 14 seconds left. Tufts fumbled with the ball on their final possession and sophomore guard Kwame Firempong (Inglewood, Calif.) missed a three at the buzzer to end it.
Marc scored 15 of his team-high 22 points in the second half to bring the Pride back. They were down 12 (55-43) with 11 minutes remaining, but put together an 18-6 run over the next seven minutes to tie the scored 61-61 on a free throw by Josselin. Tufts went back up 65-61 on a three-point play by Orchowski, but Marc tied the score at 65 with a three-pointer at 1:28. After Scott Anderson's (Sudbury, Mass.) layup gave the Jumbos a 67-65 lead, a pair of free throws by Marc tied it again (67-67) with 36.7 seconds remaining. Tufts had a final chance in regulation, worked the ball inside to Orchowski, but he could not get a lay-up to fall under heavy pressure and the game went to overtime.
Orchowski made 13 of 18 field goals and 9 of 10 free throws to get to his 35 points. Orchowski and junior Scott Anderson had combined for 18 points on 8 for 10 shooting and 12 rebounds in the first half as the Jumbos built a 13-point lead at intermission. They out-rebounded the Pride 27-16 in the first 20 minutes.
Josselin finished with 20 points to help boost Regis, which improved to 2-1 overall. He made 8 of 14 field goals and added three assists. Chambers was also in double figures with 13 points while pitching in four steals. Marc finished with four three-pointers and five assists. Charles had 9's in points and rebounds. The Pride were a solid 20 for 26 (76.9 percent) from the line.
For Tufts (2-1), Anderson joined Orchowski with a double-double, finshing with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Firempong handed out nine assists and made three steals. The Jumbos were just 3 for 24 (12.5 percent) from beyond the arc and 20 for 32 (62.5 percent) at the line. They finished with a 61-41 rebounding margin, with senior tri-captain James Long (Norwell, Mass.) adding seven.
Release courtesy of Tufts University Sports Information