A three-point shot at the buzzer by A.J. Williams bounced in-and-out to end regulation. A two-point jumper by Fran Rafferty rattled off the rim at the final buzzer in overtime.
In the end, Cabrini suffered its second defeat of the season in a devastating 74-73 overtime loss to the University of Scranton Royals on Tuesday, Nov. 27.
The Royals, ranked 12th in the nation, managed to sustain their undefeated season for another day, improving to 4-0, while the No. 21 Cavs fell to 3-2.
The game started in favor of the Royals who jumped out to a 6-0 lead. The Cavs managed to cut the lead to one by the midpoint of the half and kept pace the rest of the way, trailing by just three points at the half, 34-31.
Cabrini continued to play from behind for much of the second half before going on a 10-4 run to take a five-point lead, their largest of the game.
The Cavs went up by five again late in regulation with under three minutes to play. But the Royals refused to lay down, tying the game less than a minute later.
A pair of free throws by freshman Arron Goodman gave the Cavs the lead with 20 seconds left. But again, the Royals found a way to tie getting a layup by Brandon Boken with six seconds left. Williams fired a long three at the buzzer that missed, forcing an extra period of play.
The two teams went back-and-forth in overtime, trading baskets into the final minute. Fran Rafferty completed a pair of free throws to put the Cavs up by one with a minute to play.
Cabrini nearly came away with a huge rebound off a Scranton miss with 31 seconds left. But instead of calling for a foul, a jumpball was ruled with the possession arrow favoring Scranton. The Royals then got the remainder of the overtime to make a basket for the lead.
With another chance to score, the Royals took advantage with Ross Danzig making the go-ahead layup with nine seconds left. After a timeout with five seconds left, the Cavs put the ball in the hands of Rafferty, whose shot at the buzzer rattled off the iron and fell into the hands of Danzig to end the game.
Despite the loss, many Cavaliers finished with high point totals. Five Cavs finished in double figures in points. Goodman led the way with his fourth double-double in five games, posting 26 points – a new career-high – and 12 rebounds. Senior Goran Dulac also had a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Seniors A.J. Williams, Jeremy Knowles and junior Fran Rafferty each added 10 points.
The Cavs are back in action on Monday, Dec. 3, when they travel to face Centenary College in their first CSAC match of the season. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.
