MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Jack Connell knocked down a career-high 40 points, which included tying the program record for field goals made in a game (15), however, a pair of free throws with two seconds left by Wartburg's Marshaun Williams lifted the Knights (7-3) over Wentworth Institute of Technology (1-9), 79-78, on the second day of the 2024 Cruzin' Classic.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The first seven and a half minutes was a back-and-forth affair with one tie and 10 lead changes. Connell knocked down a three with 12:34 left, which gave Wentworth an 18-16 lead and a Donovan Holway layup and another Connell three gave the Leopards a 23-17 lead with 10:33 left.
• Wentworth took a 28-21 lead on a Russell Dolabany layup just over two minutes later, however, Wartburg used a 10-0 run over the next six minutes and led, 31-28. Niko Rosich was fouled attempting a three pointer and hit all three free throws, tying the contest at 31-all with 1:49 left. On the next possession, Isaac Besh was fouled attempting a three and hit two of three from the line, giving the Knights a 33-31 lead. A Dolabany three with 35 seconds left gave the Black & Gold a 34-33 lead, however, Luke Ladwig made a layup with 11 ticks left to give Wartburg a 35-34 lead at the break.
• The Knights outscored Wentworth 29-17 over the first 7:53 of the second half, taking a 64-51 lead on an Ethan Yungtum layup. Using a 15-2 run – with Connell scoring 12 points – the Leopards tied the game at 66-all when Dolabany hit a three with 7:44 left. Ladwig and Niko Rosich traded baskets, tying the game at 68-all before a layup by Ladwig and a three from Besh put Wartburg back on top, 73-68, with 5:00 left.
• A three from Smith pulled the Black & Gold to within two, and, after Williams made one of two from the line, Smith knocked down a three with 1:20 left, tying the game at 74-all. Besh followed with a three of his own before a jumper from Connell pulled Wentworth to within a point with 33 seconds left.
• A turnover gave Wentworth the ball back with 21 seconds left and, after a foul, Connell made a layup, giving the Leopards a 78-77 lead with five seconds left. Out of a time out, Williams was fouled as he was dribbling into the frontcourt. He hit both free throws to give the Knights a 79-78 lead. A miss at the buzzer gave Wartburg the narrow victory.
• Ladwig led Wartburg with 21 points. Besh (18), Richie Rosenblum (13), and Williams (12) also scored in double figures. Williams also had nine rebounds and four assists.
• Twenty-five of Connell's 40 points – the second-most in a single game in program history – came in the second half and he finished 15-for-23 from the floor for the game. He also had seven assists and three steals. Dolabany added 14 and Smith had eight off the bench.

ALL-TIME SERIES:

• Today was the second all-time meeting between the two teams. Both contests have taken place at this event.

NEXT UP:

• Wentworth hosts Endicott in a Conference of New England contest on Saturday, January 4.