Men’s basketball loses heartbreaker in overtime to No. 1 seed Union

KINGSPORT, Tenn. (Feb. 24, 2022) – No. 9 seed Point University men's basketball led top-seed Union College 50-42 at halftime in Thursday morning's Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament quarterfinal round contest, but the Bulldogs outscored Point 34-26 in the second half to tie the game 76-76 and send the game into overtime, where a 3-pointer at the buzzer would send Union to victory 85-82.

The Skyhawks dominated offensively in the first half as they shot 63% from the field, and the Bulldogs shot 35%. With 10:03 left in the first half, the score was tied 27-27 before the Skyhawks went on a 19-5 run to extend their lead out by 14 (46-32). With 12 seconds left in the half, a free throw from Union would bring the score back within eight entering the second half (50-42).

Union opened the second half on a 16-6 run to take a 58-56 lead, but a triple from Ray Reeves would regain the lead for Point 59-58. Both teams would go back and forth over the next nine minutes of action until the Skyhawks were able to work their way out seven-point lead, following two layups and a jump shot. Union's Markelle Turner would answer with a 7-0 run to tie the score at 76 with 1:48 left in regulation. With 25 seconds left, the Skyhawks had two layup opportunities and were unable to connect for either shot and the Bulldogs attempted a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the game but could not connect and the game was sent into overtime.

The Bulldogs connected for the first basket in overtime following a layup from Terrin Hamilton. Selman evened the score with a layup two minutes later before Hamilton extended Union's lead back out. Two free throws from Corey Bowen would tie the score again, but the Bulldogs would extend their lead once again before a dunk from Bowen would tie the score at 82 with 33 seconds remaining. With six seconds remaining, Union would miss a 3-pointer, but Union's Teddy Fifer would collect the rebound and pass it out to Deonte Douglas, who would connect for the game-winning shot at the buzzer to earn the victory for Union.

Bowen led the Skyhawks, connecting for 25 points and 12 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the season. Lorenzo Freeman Jr. would follow with 21 points adding on eight rebounds, Selman would connect for 14 and Ray Reeves would round out the Skyhawks in double figures with 13 points adding on five assists. Jake Smith would nearly record a double-double with 11 rebounds, seven points and five assists.

The Skyhawks finished their season 16-16.