Bossman’s Three-Pointer Sinks AU Men’s Basketball in Overtime
February 16, 2006

By Paul Carmany, AU Sports Information

Complete Box Score

A three-pointer by Gannon’s Bobby Bossman with six seconds remaining in overtime Thursday evening (Feb. 16) at the Hammermill Center electrified the home crowd and gave the Golden Knights a 77-76 win over Ashland. The close finish was fitting in a game that saw eight ties, 14 lead changes and many big shots from unlikely sources.

Gannon is now 11-14 overall and 5-10 in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). AU, which lost for the fourth time in its last five games, falls to 16-8 overall, 8-6 in the GLIAC. Wayne State’s loss, though, clinched a GLIAC tournament berth for the Eagles.

Neither team held a lead of greater than seven points in the entire contest. Ashland’s largest advantages came at 26-19 and 28-21 in the first half. The home team closed the first 20 minutes on a 9-2 run, though, knotting the halftime score at 30-30.

Gannon’s biggest lead came late in the second half. A Darmel Whitfield layup gave the Knights a 63-56 advantage with 3:00 left.

Ashland then made use of the three-point shot in the closing minutes of regulation. Senior guard Javan Roberson had made just five three-pointers all season before tonight, but he made back-to-back attempts in the closing minutes. His second connection made the score 65-62, Gannon, with 1:17 left.

After Shelby Chaney missed a shot for the Knights, Greg Emmons tied the game at 65 on a contested three-pointer from the right wing. Gannon was left with 27 seconds to score the game-winner, but could only manage a weak attempt by Chaney. Thus, the Eagles went to overtime for the third time this season in six GLIAC road contests.

AU starting point guard Brett Bartlett had been held scoreless in the first 40 minutes of play, but he nailed two straight three-pointers to turn a four-point deficit into a two-point Ashland lead (73-71) with 1:07 left in the extra session.

Bartlett then calmly sank a pair of free throws with 39 seconds on the clock, lifting the AU advantage to 75-71. Gannon’s Demondi Johnson hit a long three-pointer with 22 seconds left to shave the lead to one.

The Knights quickly fouled Bartlett, AU’s best foul shooter, again. This time, with 20 seconds left, he split the pair, putting Ashland’s lead at two, 76-74.

Bossman, who had not scored prior to overtime, made his second jumper in the extra period, a three-pointer, with six seconds left. Bartlett rushed back down the left-hand side of the floor but could not get a good look at the basket as the buzzer sounded.

Vahn Knight led Ashland with 17 points, but was limited to just 23 minutes of action and fouled out with 4:00 left in regulation. Emmons posted 14 points and eight caroms. Roberson matched his season high with 11 points. Justin Brown led AU with 10 rebounds while Bartlett posted seven assists.

Gannon’s big men, Chaney and Aurimas Truskauskas, both among the nation’s top 10 rebounders, both recorded double-doubles. Chaney had 15 points and 10 rebounds while Truskausas tallied 14 and 13.

That duo helped Gannon achieve a sizable, 48-30, advantage on the boards. Another telling stat was points off turnovers. The home team owned a 17-6 edge in that category.

AU will return to action at Mercyhurst Saturday afternoon (Feb. 18) at 3 p.m. The game will be a key one in the GLIAC South Division standings as the Lakers (19-6, 9-6 GLIAC) hold a one-half game lead over Ashland for second place in the conference standings.