Mustangs Drop Seawolves on Buzzer Beater in OT

Auburn - Last night's men's YSCC matchup between the Seawolves of SMCC and the Mustangs of CMCC was everything one could ask for in a rivalry game. There were screaming student sections, 13 lead changes, 12 ties, overtime and a buzzer beater for the win followed by fans storming the court. Mustangs' shooting guard Kaleb Benjamin was the hero last night, releasing a bomb from the top of the key with one tick remaining on the clock that hit nothing but the bottom of the net to push CM past SM 85-83. 

Tto start the game the Mustangs jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead but Matt Talbot (Portland, ME) and Jordan DeRosby (Waterville, ME) were able to get the Seawolves rolling and tie the game at 6-6. With less than two minutes remaining in the half CM's Rob Skinner hit one of two from the charity stripe to give the Mustangs their largest lead of the first period, 41-33. The Seawolves managed to close out the half with a Grayson Waterman (Berwick, ME) shot from beyond the arc and a jump shot by freshman point guard Peter Theriault (Livermore, ME) that cut the lead to just three going into the break.

A DeRosby layup started the second half and trimmed the lead to a lone point and eventually the Seawolves were able to tie the game when John Morgan (Sanford, ME) connected on an attempt from the chairty stripe. The Mustangs proceeded to go on a 15-4 run and take their largest lead of the game, 61-50, but the Seawolves answered right back with a run of their own. DeRosby and Morgan combined for ten points and slashed the lead to 63-60. CM was able to extend the lead back to six but a three pointer by Ville Wuorenjuuri (Helsinki, Finland) made it a one possession game and then an old fashioned three point play by shooting guard Matthew Jarrett (Norwalk, CT) sent the teams into overtime. 

Midway through the overtime period, CM found themselves enjoying a five point cushion until Morgan hit a layup and Talbot connected on two shots in the paint to put the Seawolves on top 81-80. With thirty-five seconds remaining CM's Rob Skinner netted a midrange jumper to put the Mustangs up one but once again Talbot had the answer. The sophomore forward hit his ninth field goal of the game with thirteen seconds left to put SM on top 83-82. The Seawolves defense locked in and did a nice job taking away the Mustangs' biggest offensive threats, Skinner and Carrington Miller, but it was Kaleb Benjamin that would deliver the dagger with his buzzer beating three and the Mustangs picked up the 85-83 W.

Talbot led the way for the Seawolves with 21 points and 10 boards while Wuorenjuuri netted 18 on 6-15 shooting from downtown. DeRosby added 12 points and five assists and Morgan pitched in with 11 points and seven boards. 

The Mustangs were led by Skinner who chalked up a double double with 23 points and 11 rebounds. Miller dropped 21 and shooting guard Pietro Badalessi added 16 points and six assists.

The Seawolves (12-16, 8-5 YSCC) have one game remaining in the regular season and that will be held at home on Saturday at 3pm against Vermont Technical College. 

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