Buzzer-Beating Win Sends Men's Basketball Into First Place

The Wells College men's basketball team used another comeback effort and Rich Ross hit a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer in a 72-71 Express victory at Morrisville State College on Saturday, Jan. 7.

Wells trailed 71-69 with the game's final possession. Ross and Chris Courtney ran an exchange play along the right sideline, and Ross was forced toward the right sideline. He shot a 3-pointer from in front of the Wells bench with one second remaining, and made it off of the backboard and front of the rim after the buzzer sounded for the winning shot.

Ross finished the game with 37 points, a career-best scoring game. He had 25 points in the second half. It is the third time this season that Ross has scored 30 points or more.

The victory improved Wells' record to 6-3 overall and 4-0 in the North Eastern Athletic Conference. Wells moved into first place in the North Division of the NEAC. Morrisville is 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the NEAC.

In the six wins for Wells this season, the Express has trailed at halftime five times. Saturday's comeback from a 14-point halftime deficit was its largest comeback win from the halftime mark. The Mustangs led 39-25 at halftime.

The Express used a 17-2 run in the opening minutes of the second half to get back into the contest.

With under five minutes remaining, Ross had a steal and layup, and converted the free throw to bring Wells to within two at 63-61. Two minutes later, back-to-back foul shots for Ross made it 66-64 in favor of Morrisville. After a Morrisville turnover, Ross nailed a 3-pointer from the top of the arc to give Wells its first lead of the game at 67-66 with 2:12 left.

The teams traded the lead in the final minute, and Morrisville's Trent Ward made a layup to give the home team a 71-69 lead with 15 seconds left. That set up the winning basket at the buzzer for Wells.

Wells made 16-of-18 free-throw attempts in the game, and converted seven 3-pointers in the second half after shooting 1-for-14 from behind the arc in the first half.

James Feocco scored 10 for the Express and was the second-leading scorer. Tyree Fisher had nine points on three 3-point baskets. The Wells defense forced 10 Morrisville turnovers in the second half and 16 in the game.

Wells returns to action Wednesday on the road at Keuka College at 8 p.m.