Skyhawks Drop 3OT Thriller, 114-113

Nick Smith averaged 21.7 points in the Skyhawks three games at the Disney Classic.

In the first triple overtime game in the 11 year history of the Disney Division II Tipoff Classic, Stonehill rallied from a 21-point second half deficit to force overtime on three separate occasions, but Columbus State junior Maurice Arnold blocked what would have been the gamewinning shot with no time remaining in the third overtime as the Cougars escaped with a 114-113 win.

Nick Smith (Colonia, N.J.) led six Stonehill (1-2) players in double figures with a game-high 28 while Matt Hall (Springfield, Mass.) added 27 points, as the duo combined to go 16-of-19 from the free throw line. The Skyhawks also got double-double performances from junior Colin Scanlon (Centreville, Va.) (17 points, 15 rebounds) and sophomore A.J. Rudowitz (Monroe Township, N.J.) (12 points, 15 rebounds). Smith, who averaged 21.7 points in the three games, was named to the Group Dedication All-Tournament team.

Arnold led the Cougars with 23 points and 17 rebounds, along with six blocks and three steals.
The game appeared to be a blowout early as Columbus State finished the first half on a 12-0 run, holding Stonehill scoreless over the last 2:58, to take a 20-point lead (50-30) into the half.

The Skyhawks came back in the second half to chip away at the lead and with the score 76-60 Stonehill scored 17 of the next 19 points to trim the lead to one. The Cougars held off the rally stretching their lead back up to seven with 2:13 remaining, but Skyhawks scored the final seven points of the game to send it into overtime.

The first overtime was nip-and-tuck as neither team took a lead larger than three points. In the second overtime, Columbus ran out to a five-point lead, but the Skyhawks continued to fight back as Hall scored the final five points to tie the game again with 35 seconds left in the second overtime.

In overtime number three, the Cougars went out to a five-point lead again, but Stonehill trimmed it to three at 114-111 and Rudowitz converted an inside basket, making it 114-113.
After two missed free throws by the Cougars Corris Portis, the Skyhawks had the ball with 19 seconds to go but Rudowitz’ attempt was turned away by Arnold.

Other Skyhawks in double figures included freshman Vince Rosario (Perth Amboy, N.J.), who had 15 points, three assists and two steals and Randall Stallworth (Toms River, N.J.) who played a team-high 46 minutes, added 12 points and a career-high 12 assists.

Stonehill, now 1-2, returns to action on Friday when they take part in the New York Tech Classic. The Skyhawks are scheduled to face Queens College on Friday at 5 p.m.