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 (Dallas, TX) three-pointer that forced overtime and would pull off the win on a game-winning Omari Ferguson (Chicago, Ill.) layup as they upset the Jumbos, 95-93, to advance to their first Sweet 16 in program history.
Across more than four minutes to begin the game, the only points for the Bulldogs came from Lucas Gordon (San Marcos, CA) as the U of R was down seven, 9-2.
That deficit hung around the 10-point mark for the majority of the first half as that deficit grew to 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.
Then with only 41 points scored in nearly 29 minutes of play, Kendrick Currey (Manteca, CA) and Gordon would each convert three-point plays just :43 seconds after the Tufts' basket as the lead was cut to 13, 60-47.
At the 7:19 mark Redlands was finally able to cut the lead to single digits after Currey scored four-straight to make it 65-57.
The comeback pulled them within three, but ultimately the Jumbos reestablished a two possession game with a minute and a half remaining. The Bulldogs got possession back after a missed free throw that would have made it a three possession game. Seconds later Currey was able to get into the paint to start a final comeback attempt.
Coming out of a timeout Jake Hlywiak (Valencia, CA) forced a turnover with a steal, but the subsequent layup would be missed. 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 Head Coach Eric Bridgeland, the Bulldogs brought the ball up the court, which turned into a heavily contested three from Amadi that he knocked down, which forced overtime.
Much like regulation when Tufts thought they had the game in hand with a six-point lead, Redlands found themselves up by six, 92-86, after a tip-in by Gordon. Tufts, though, battled to pull within two with :15 seconds on the clock.
Currey had an opportunity to ice the game with two free throws and only :14 seconds left, but missed both, giving Tufts an opportunity to tie things up. The next possession down the floor Tufts drew the fifth foul on Gordon picking up two free throws.
They made both and with no advance, Ferguson brought the ball coast to coast 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 finished with 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. Amadi scored 12 of his 14 points on 4-of-9 made three-pointers.
The Bulldogs add their 24th win this season, tying the 1959-60 team for the second most in program history, three behind the 27 wins from 1960-61 when the Bulldogs made it to the NAIA second round.
Redlands' reward is a match-up with No. 11 Hampden-Sydney College on Friday, March 14 at 1:30 p.m. pacific daylight time at host New York University.
