Cougars win overtime thriller over Haddonfield

On Saturday, the Cougars beat Haddonfield 62-59 at the Cougar Classic in an unbelievable game. It was an instant classic type of game, but it did not appear that way from the start for the Cougars. Haddonfield started the game on a 9-0 run and the Cougars looked out of it for the majority of the first half. Marc Schlessel ('12) attempted to keep the Cougars in the game in the first, scoring 9 points to keep the Haddonfield lead to two heading into the second quarter.

The second quarter was entirely Haddonfield. They dominated in every facet of the game, refusing to let the Cougars get off good shots as they held the Cougars to six second quarter points as they took a 30-16 lead into the locker room.

The Cougars attempted to work their way back in the third quarter. After Haddonfield scored a basket to open the quarter, the Cougars went on a 7-0 run thanks to a Jake Silpe ('15) three and a pair of Schlessel baskets. However, the Cougars could not fully close the gap despite Jake Gurkin ('12) scoring two baskets to counter Haddonfield scores. Haddonfield led 42-33 at the end of the third quarter.

Haddonfield opened the scoring in the fourth quarter with a basket. Then, the Cougar hopes dimmed even further when Gurkin fouled out with a considerable amount of time left in the game. Haddonfield took a 46-33 lead before the Cougars registered a point in the quarter. Once again, the Cougars showed they were not done, as Gary Hettinger ('13) made a layup followed by a Jesse Gold ('12) three to cut the lead to ten. Then, Hank Davis ('13) hit another Cougar three to cut the lead to seven. Hettinger laid it in once again to cut the lead to five before Haddonfield scored three more points. Then, with about a minute and a half left, Gold hit a free throw to cut the lead back to seven. On the ensuing possession Haddonfield also hit one free throw, followed by Schlessel draining a deep three to cut the lead to five. Once again, Haddonfield struck back with a basket of their own. The Cougars would not go down without a fight, as Schlessel came right back by hitting a jumper with 20 seconds left. Haddonfield failed to score on their next possession. Then, Schlessel had the ball once again for the Cougars as he hoisted up a three that missed, but was fouled on the play. Schlessel proved to be extremely clutch, hitting all three free throws to put the Cougars within two. After a Haddonfield inbounds play, the Cougars fouled with 5 seconds left to send Haddonfield to the line for two shots with a 54-52 lead. The DiBart Gym was rocking as Haddonfield missed the first free throw and hit the second. The Cougars were down by three. On the initial inbounds play, Haddonfield tipped the ball out of bounds. So with 3.7 seconds left, Schlessel popped out beyond the arc and Gold saw him and hit him with a beautiful pass. Schlessel drained the three as time expired to tie the game in an electric atmosphere to send it to overtime.

Schlessel continued right where he left off in regulation during the extra session, taking the ball to the hole, making the shot and getting fouled to give the Cougars a 58-55 lead. Haddonfield hit a free throw on the next possession. Then, Andrew Brown ('13) hit a layup for the Cougars to give them the 60-56 lead. After a Haddonfield failed possession Schlessel gathered in a Cougar offensive rebound on a free throw and put it back up to give the Cougars a 62-56 lead. A Haddonfield three was too little, too late as the Cougars held on for a 62-59 win.

Player of the Game: Schlessel. Schlessel was Mr. Clutch on Saturday, scoring 30 points, 11 of which came in the fourth quarter to revive the Cougars' faint hopes in the game.

Key Stats:

Schlessel-30 points

Gurkin-10 points

Gold-6 points, 7 assists

Hettinger-6 points

Silpe-5 points