In an electrifying showdown on Friday night in Lewiston, New York, Carmelo Pacheco's stunning last-second three-pointer propelled Mount St. Mary's to a narrow 84-83 triumph over Niagara. Pacheco's game-winning shot came after Terrell Ard Jr. successfully rebounded a missed free throw between two defenders, setting the stage for a dramatic finish that left fans on the edge of their seats.
The Mountaineers were trailing 83-80 when Xavier Lipscomb stepped to the free-throw line. Making a crucial first shot and missing the second turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Ard, demonstrating incredible presence of mind, secured the rebound and swiftly passed the ball to Pacheco, who was perfectly positioned on the wing. With the clock ticking down, Pacheco's flawless execution saw the ball swish through the net, clinching a memorable win for Mount St. Mary's.
Standout performances were evident on both teams. Dallas Hobbs led the Mountaineers in scoring with 21 points, hitting 7 of 13 from the field, including 2 of 3 from beyond the arc. He displayed remarkable consistency, converting 5 of 6 from the free-throw line. Ard was also instrumental, contributing 13 points and seven rebounds, alongside shooting 6 of 8 from the field.
Jedy Cordilia added significant firepower with 13 points, shooting 5 of 9 from the field, and pulled down seven rebounds, strengthening Mount St. Mary's interior presence. For Niagara, Olumide Adelodun was a force to reckon with, scoring 26 points, grabbing six rebounds, and securing three steals. Jhaylon Martinez and Jaeden Marshall chipped in with 11 points each, with Martinez also pulling down eight rebounds.
The nail-biter saw both teams playing with intense energy, keeping fans enthralled until the very last second. While Mount St. Mary's celebrated a hard-fought victory, Niagara will reflect on missed opportunities and look to bounce back in their upcoming game.
The journey continues for Mount St. Mary's as they prepare to face Canisius on the road this Sunday. Meanwhile, Niagara seeks redemption in their next matchup against Siena on Friday. With both teams determined to carve their path in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, the upcoming games promise more exciting basketball action.