MARSHALL, Minn - With 2.3 seconds showing on the clock and down two, junior Dermaine Crockrell (G, Mesa, Ariz.) got the inbounds pass from the opposite baseline and knocked down a desperation shot from just inside half court to lift Bemidji State University men's basketball team to a 79-78 victory at Southwest Minnesota State University Friday.
SMSU, ranked No. 6 in this week’s NCAA region rankings, had its four-game winning streak snapped and dropped to 14-10 overall, 13-7 NSIC. BSU, ranked No. 8 in the rankings, improves to 18-7 overall, 13-6 NSIC. It was BSU’s second victory over SMSU this season.
SMSU had taken a 78-76 lead with just seconds remaining on a William Giddings layup. The clock failed to stop after the basket and the officials put 2.3 seconds on the clock. Following a timeout, Crockrell then caught the in-bounds pass in the backcourt and dribbled into the frontcourt before throwing up the game-winning shot. The shot bounced high off the rim, before going through the hoop for the game-winning shot.
BSU shot 57 percent (16 of 28) from the field and made 11 of 13 free throws in the second half. James Ellisor, the NSIC’s leading scorer, led the Beavers with 17 points on 7 of 12 shooting and also grabbed six rebounds. Crockrell added 15 points and six rebounds.
The game was tied three times in the opening minutes before SMSU used a 6-0 run to build a 14-8 lead with 14 minutes and 43 minutes remaining capped by a dunk by Smith.
SMSU maintained the lead for the remainder of the half, including taking it largest lead at 32-23 with four minutes left, after a jumper by Lavione West, before settling for a 36-31 halftime lead.
SMSU shot 59 percent (13 of 22) in the opening half with Smith leading the way with eight points. BSU finished the opening half shooting 48 percent (13 of 27) with Crockrell leading the Beavers with 10 first half points.
BSU took its first lead of the game with 13:17 left in the game at 43-42 and built the lead to six points on two occasions, including 67-61 with 5:32 remaining.
SMSU slowed cut into the lead and eventually took the lead at 71-68 following a 3-pointer by Giddings with 2:57 on the clock. BSU would tie the game at 74 with 1:45 remaining, before Giddings gave SMSU the lead back at the 1:26 mark with a jumper.
Ellisor hit a pair of free throws with 16 second left to tie the game for the ninth time, before SMSU answered with Giddings layup on a pass from Tramel Barnes with 2.3 seconds on the clock.