In the final home game of the 2008-09 season, the University of
Redlands men's basketball team provided a memorable sendoff
for senior Travis Miller (Coto de Caza, CA) with an exciting
victory over the Tigers of Occidental College by a score of 63-62.
However, this night stands out in Miller's mind for one
reason in particular as he sank the final layup with 2.7 seconds
remaining for the win.
The first half saw a back-and-forth battle with the Bulldogs
gaining a six-point edge at the half. Redlands took advantage of
Oxy's 10 turnovers in the opening period, converting them to
nine points, which proved to be difference.
The Tigers tied the game at 43 apiece off of a 6-0 run early in the
second half. After a Redlands timeout at 14:52, the Bulldogs
returned the favor with eight unanswered points to put them up
51-43 with 11:05 remaining. Oxy eventually closed the gap and moved
ahead off of two made free-throws by junior forward Sean Anderson
(Burbank, CA) at the five-minute mark.
After trading turnovers, the Tigers converted their next possession
on an Anderson dunk, stretching their lead to three points with
3:35 to go. Redlands responded with an important three-pointer by
freshman forward Stephen Call (Portola Valley, CA) to tie the game
at 61.
Oxy freshman wing Jack Hanley (Seattle, WA) sank just one of his
two free throws with 1:29 remaining, which left the door open for
Redlands.
Although both teams failed to score on their next possessions, the
ball was in the Bulldogs' hands with four seconds to
play.
Following timeouts by both teams, Head Coach Jim Ducey drew up a
play for Miller to finish his career as the hero and it worked.
With Oxy tightly defending junior guard Patrick Coffey (San Carlos,
CA), who supplied 17 points on the night, Miller went by his
defender and cut under the basket for the uncontested layup and the
game-winning basket.
With 2.7 seconds remaining, Oxy threw up a last-ditch effort and
missed at the buzzer.
Miller contributed a career-high six assists in his final game with
the Bulldogs, along with eight points, seven rebounds, two blocks
and two steals.
Sophomore Matt Dietrich (Phoenix, AZ) led the Bulldogs with 18
points and 10 rebounds, while Coffey added 17 points, four steals,
and three assists.
For Oxy, Anderson posted a game-high 24 points and 10 boards, while
Hanley chipped in 15 points.
Redlands (10-15, 6-8 SCIAC) finished out the season in sixth place
in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
(SCIAC) standings, while Oxy placed fifth.