Washington and Lee University
MADISON, N.J. – Freshman guard Mike Mays nailed a pair of free throws with 33.8 seconds left in overtime to lift host Drew University to a 57-55 victory over Washington and Lee in the opening round of the Rose City Classic.
The Generals (0-1) opened a 47-42 lead with 3:32 left in the second half, but saw the Rangers (1-0) score eight-straight points to take a 50-47 lead with 30 seconds remaining. However, W&L sophomore forward Ben Goetsch (Timonium, Md./Gilman) drilled a three-pointer with 20 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 50-50 and send the contest into overtime.
The extra session saw each team hold a lead, but the Generals surged ahead 55-54 with 56 seconds left on a free throw by junior guard Isaiah Goodman (Richfield, Minn./Holy Angels). Goodman’s second free throw was off the mark and Mays gave the Rangers the lead for good at 56-55 with his two charity tosses.
The Generals had an opportunity to take a last shot for the win, but turned the ball over in the final seconds and Drew senior guard Chris Lopez hit 1-of-2 free throws with 1.8 seconds left to provide the final margin.
Drew led 24-21 at halftime, but the Generals battled back to lead by as many as five points (47-42) in the second half. Senior forward Greg Bienemann (Chatham, N.J./Chatham) led W&L with 17 points and seven rebounds, while junior forward Kirk Jones (Maple Glenn, Pa./Germantown Academy) added nine points and five boards.
Lopez paced the Rangers with 20 points, 10 rebounds and six steals. Mays chipped in 17 points, three rebounds and three steals.
Washington and Lee returns to action on Saturday as it takes on Ursinus in the consolation game of the Rose City Classic at 3:00 pm. The Bears fell to 15th-ranked Williams, 88-73, in the opening game of the tournament.
~ Generals ~
