Denison buzzer-beater upsets Wabash

More news about: Denison | Wabash
Feb 03, 2011
Denison's Jim Leffew
Jim Leffew found the bank was open late Thursday night.
 Denison athletics file photo 

Junior point guard Jim Leffew banked in a 35-foot 3-pointer as time expired to lift Denison to a thrilling 65-62 NCAC victory over 15th-ranked Wabash on Thursday night in front of a rowdy crowd at Livingston Gymnasium. The victory is Denison's first over a ranked opponent since beating then-No. 18 Wittenberg in double overtime on Dec. 11, 2004. Full story

Leffew scored seven points in the final few seconds of the game. 

The 5-9 guard hoisted a 3-point shot from the right wing, nailing the shot while also drawing a foul from Derek Bailey. Leffew finished the 4-point play to put the Big Red (7-14, 4-8) up 62-61. After a timeout, Shelbourne drew a foul on Denison's Mike Garabedian before the Little Giants would inbound the basketball. Shelbourne missed the first of two tosses, but canned the second to even the score at 62-62 with 4.8 seconds left in regulation.

Leffew, who had already hit four treys in the contest, raced down the left side of the court after a Wabash timeout and banked home the game-winning shot from just inside the midcourt stripe to give the Big Red the victory.

Elsewhere, top-ranked Wooster (beat Hiram 70-64), No. 3 Augustana (76-66 over North Park) and No. 14 Western Connecticut (71-66 against Connecticut College) each survived against unranked opponents.

In women's action, UW-La Crosse knocked off No. 11 UW-Whitewater to move a half-game ahead of the Warhawks into second place in the WIAC. St. Mary's (Ind.) cut No. 4 Hope's lead to four points in the second half but it wasn't enough as the Flying Dutch pulled away for a 79-59 win. Fifth-ranked Babson remained unbeaten, routing overmatched MIT 70-31 behind 22 from Kathleen King. Daniel Webster was credited with 29 assists on its 37 baskets en route to its 16th consecutive victory, 83-42 against Elms.