MEDFORD, Mass. – In the program's first NCAA Tournament second round game, the University of Redlands men's basketball team (24-4) found themselves down 17 in the second half at host Tufts University Saturday evening, but they battled back thanks to a game-tying Chozen Amadi three in regulation and would pull off the win on a game-winning Omari Ferguson layup in overtime as they defeated the Jumbos, 95-93, to advance to their first third round in program history.
Across more than four minutes to begin the game, the only points for the Bulldogs came from Lucas Gordon as they were down seven, 9-2.
That deficit hung around the 10-point mark for the majority of the first half as they were down 12, 37-25, at the end of the first 20 minutes.
Then with 11:31 remaining in the game the Jumbos made a jumper that extended their lead to its largest of the game at 17, 58-41.
With only 41 points scored in nearly 29 minutes of play, Kendrick Currey and Gordon each scored three points only 43 seconds after the Tufts' basket as the lead was cut to 13, 60-47.
At the 7:19 mark they were finally able to cut the lead to single digits after Currey scored four-straight points to make it 65-57.
The comeback got them within three, but ultimately the Jumbos reestablished a two possession lead with 88 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs got possession back after a missed free throw that would have made it a three possession game, and only 17 seconds later Currey was able to get into the paint to start a final comeback attempt.
Coming out of a timeout Jake Hlywiak forced a turnover with a steal, but the subsequent layup would be missed, but Ferguson forced a second turnover after the Jumbos had the defensive rebound and that play would turn into a three-point play that made it a one-point game, 81-80, with 42 seconds left.
After using a lot of the clock, Tufts made a jumper in the paint with only 10 seconds remaining to go up three. Following a timeout from Eric Bridgeland, they brought the ball up the court which turned into a heavily contested three from Amadi that he made which forced overtime.
Much like regulation when Tufts thought they had the game in hand with a six-point lead, Redlands were ahead by six, 92-86, after a tipin by Gordon. Tufts, though, battled to within two points with 15 second on the clock.
Currey had an opportunity to ice the game with two made free throws and only 14 second left, but he missed both, and four second after the defensive rebound, Tufts drew the fifth foul on Gordon and got two free throws to tie the game.
They made both and with no advance, Ferguson brought the ball all the way up the court in four seconds for what would be the game-winning layup.
The Bulldogs pulled out the win thanks to a bench that was plus 28 points (33-5). Gordon did not start but had 22 points and 14 rebounds in 33 minutes off the bench.
Ferguson led the starters with 18 points and added five huge steals. His five steals move his season total to 66, the 11th most in single-season program history.
Currey had 17 points, a game-high seen assists, and five rebounds. Amdi scored 12 of his 14 points on 4-of-9 made threes.
The Bulldogs add their 24th win this season, tying 1959-60 for the second most, three behind the 27 from 1960-61 when they made it to the NAIA second round.
Redlands reward is a matchup with No. 11 Hampden-Sydney College on Friday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m. pacific daylight time at host New York University.