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Video: Njoku's game winning tip-in

Post-game Interview with Nnamdi Njoku

BLOOMSBURG—A missed late jumper with time running low followed by a last second tip-in by Nnamdi Njoku (Westampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) propelled the Bloomsburg University men's basketball team (18-8, 14-7 PSAC) past East Stroudsburg (16-11, 12-9 PSAC), 80-78 OT.  The Huskies trailed the entire game until forcing overtime with late free throws, eventually leading to a Bloomsburg win and keeping them in the race for the top spot in the PSAC East.

Tonight's game was truly a tale of two halves for the Huskies.  Following a first half in which Bloomsburg's defense struggled to find ways to come up with stops, the Huskies regrouped in the second half and responded with a stifling two-three zone defense.  Bloomsburg was also 63.6% from the field in the second half, 15% better than the first in addition to knocking down five second half three pointers.

East Stroudsburg opened the game on fire connecting on their first seven shots to take a quick 14-6 lead.  They would eventually go up by as many as 17 points in the half and own a 45-31 lead at the break.

Bloomsburg's defensive struggles were made obvious by two ESU players, Whis Grant and Terrance King.  The duo combined for 27 first half points, just four less than the entire Bloomsburg team. 

Not going away easily, the Huskies went on a 10-0 run cutting the East Stroudsburg lead to just five points.  East Stroudsburg responded with five straight points of their own to go back up by double figures. 

Ed Hall (Washington, DC/Paint Branch) cut the ESU lead to single digits with a contested layup.  A missed three point attempt on ESU's next possession led to a two-handed Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport/Williamsport) throw-down, bringing the score to 51-45. 

The Warriors answered with a basket of their own but Hall had a response as he nailed a jumper to cut the lead back down to six points.  ESU's Terrance King would push the lead back to eight with a basket but a Larry Webster (Hagerstown, MD/Elkton) free throw coupled with back-to-back jumpers by Jordan brought the score to 55-52 with 8:22 remaining. 

Two made free throws by ESU brought the lead back to five but another dunk by Jordan paired with a long three pointer by him tied things up at 57 apiece.  It was the closest BU had been to the Warriors since the opening tip.

Jordan's three pointer triggered an ESU timeout.  Out of the timeout both teams would have scoring chances in the paint that would not go in which eventually turned into a three point bucket from Trevon Johnson (Snow Hill, MD/Snow Hill) and a made free throw by Jordan which put the Huskies ahead 61-57.  Jordan's free throw capped a 20-6 Bloomsburg run that included a three minute scoring drought from the Warriors. 

Bloomsburg pushed their lead to five points only to see the Warriors go on an 8-0 run, putting  ESU ahead 67-64 with 2:39 to play.  The closing minutes of play would be highlighted by a Webster layup and three made free throws from Christmas and Jordan; Jordan knocked down the final two free throws to tie things up at 69-69 with 37 seconds to play.

East Stroudsburg's Russell Graham had a chance for the win but his shot rimmed out. Unfortunately for BU, the ball out go out of bounds off the Huskies with ESU having one last shot at a game winner.  Terrance King would put up a contested shot that would just miss off the glass as the game went into overtime.

The overtime period was played at a very physical level as Terrance King and BU's Webster fouling out.  Bloomsburg owned the largest lead during the overtime period  as the were ahead by three with 20 seconds to play. 

A controversial foul was called on Jordan with 14 seconds to play which sent Whis Grant to free throw line for three shots.  Grant would make good on all three attempts, tying things up at 78-78. 

Bloomsburg put the ball in Johnson's hands for the last shot.  With five seconds on the clock Johnson made quick cross-over dribble to lose his defender.  He made his way to the top of the key and fired a jumper that looked to go in but rimmed out.  With seconds remaining, Nnamdi Njoku (Westampton, NJ/Rancocas Valley) burst through the lane for the rebound and tipped the ball towards the basket on a last second effort.  With the horn sounding and the clock at zero, Njoku's tip in would fall through the twine, giving BU a two point overtime win.

Dontahe Jordan (Williamsport/Williamsport) led all scorers with 25 points along with eight rebounds and two blocks.  He scored eight straight during BU's 20-6 run in the second half. 

Njoku finished with 12, none bigger than his 12th point which gave the Huskies the win.  Johnson added another 11 points and four assists.  For East Stroudsburg, Terrance King led the way with 21 points. 

Bloomsburg will be back in action at the Nelson Field House as they host the Marauders of Millersville University in the regular season finale.  Tip-off is scheduled for Saturday, February 25th at 3:00 p.m.