'On This Day' Ross’ Buzzer Beater Seals Win between Undefeated Conference Teams

'On This Day' is a Wells College Athletics feature series taking a look back on events that occurred on this day, Jan. 7, four years ago in 2017.

MORRISVILLE, NY – Rich Ross completed a Wells College comeback from 18 points to win a 72-71 battle between of a pair of unbeaten conference teams at SUNY Morrisville on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017.

For the third time this season Ross finished with 30 or more points by netting a career-high 37 against Morrisville that included the Express' final 13 points. Ross also went 13-for-13 from the charity stripe.

During that 13-point spree at the end of the second half, Ross gave Wells its first lead of the contest with just over two minutes remaining with a 3-pointer for a 67-66 lead. Morrisville retook the lead with a three of its own before a pair of Ross free throws tied the contest at 69. Morrisville took its final lead at 71-69 before a Ross 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Wells the win.

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' 3-pointer from the top of the arc gave Wells its first lead with 2:12 left.

Ross also led the team in rebounds with seven, while Anthony Nesci had a team-high seven assists. James Feocco was the only other Express player to finish with double-digit points with 10.

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. The Wells defense forced 10 Morrisville turnovers in the second half and 16 in the game.

Boxscore: https://www.wells-express.com/sports/mbkb/2016-17/boxscores/20170107_h2lf.xml?view=boxscore