Men’s Basketball defeated in thrilling overtime game against Mount Aloysius

PITTSBURGH --- Carlow University men's basketball lost, 95-89, to Mount Aloysius College in overtime at Donahue Pavilion Saturday.

The Celtics (4-17, 2-12 AMCC) jumped out to a big 20-5 advantage to start the game, leading the Mounties (8-13, 6-8 AMCC), 38-26, heading into halftime. Carlow shot 50 percent (15 for 30) from the field in the first half alone.

A layup cut Carlow's advantage to single digits early in the second half, but the Celtics held on to the lead. Mount Aloysius went on a 10-0 run over the course of three-and-a-half minutes to gain their first lead of the game, 59-58, with 7:45 remaining in regulation.

A layup gave the Mounties a 79-76 advantage with a minute left of the clock, but Riley Comforti scored in the next possession to put the Celtics within a point. Carlow sent Mount Aloysius to the foul line and the Mounties were only able to convert 50 percent, leading Carlow 81-78 with just seconds on the clock. The Celtics called a time out, and Oscar Contreras hit a last-second, running three-pointer off an inbounds play to tie the game and drew a foul in the process.

Contreras missed the foul shot, and the game went into overtime.

The teams traded buckets to begin overtime and tied again at 85-all after a layup from the Mounties. A free throw and two more layups afforded Mount Aloysius a five-point lead with under a minute remaining before Byron Gaskins sank two free throws to put the Celtics within three. Mount Aloysius' final five points all came from the free throw line as Carlow fouled to regain possession. Gaskins hit a last-second layup, but it was too little, too late as time expired.

Contreras shot 4 for 8 from beyond the arc to lead the Celtics with 23 points, three assists and a steal. Gaskins added 21 points, seven steals and three blocks, and Comforti recorded a double-double 16 points, 13 boards, four assists, three steals and a block. Clayton Cook scored 12 points off the bench in the effort.

The Celtics scored 25 points off 17 Mount Aloysius turnovers and outscored the Mounties 17-14 off the bench. Mount Aloysius outrebounded the Celtics 57-40 and outscored Carlow 60-23 in the paint.

Will Hagwood scored a double-double, game-high 25 points and 15 boards. Reggie Priah added a double-double 19 points and 11 rebounds, and three other players tallied double figures in the win.

Carlow hosts Penn State Altoona for a 7:30 p.m. AMCC game Feb. 7.