HAWKS NIP ANNE ARUNDEL IN DOUBLE OVERTIME

Wednesday, January 30 -  J'Vaughn Hawkins hit a jumper at the buzzer in regulation to send the game into overtime and the Hawks rallied in the second overtime to defeat Anne Arundel 100-95.  

    After missing a lay-up that would have tied the game with :07 left in the game, CSM's hopes looked dim.  Anne Arundel's Darcy Adefehinti left the door open a crack when he made only one of two free throws to give the Pioneers an 83-80 lead with :05 left.  The Hawks took full advantage, rebounding the missed foul shot and getting the outlet pass quickly up to Hawkins, who hit the long 3 pointer as the buzzer sounded!

    "We told J Hawk in the huddle he was going to make the last shot and he came through" said Head CSM Coach Todd Fong.  "When they made the free throw it changed to a 3 pointer, J Hawk got the ball, let it go and came through for us."

    The energized Hawks looked like they would put the game away early in the first overtime, as CSM won the tip and Wayne Gibson scored on a lay-up 3 seconds into the overtime.  CSM promptly forced a turn-over to regain possession, and it looked like the Hawks were poised to go on a run.  However the cold shooting that plagued both teams all game set in, and neither team scored for over 2:30. 

     CSM had trouble penetrating Anne Arundel's zone defense all night, and couldn't hit from outside.  Anne Arundel also struggled on offense against the tight Hawk defense.  CSM tried to force an up tempo game, as the Pioneers only dressed six players, but Anne Arundel consistently slowed the ball down and set up their offense.  However they could never find a rhythm, and struggled offensively.

     J'vaughn Hawkins hit another three to put CSM up 88-83 with 2:23 left in the first overtime, but Greg Sullivan quickly answered with a three pointer for the Pioneers.  Ellis Champion hit two free throws with :55 left to knot the score and send the game to a second overtime.  

    Wayne Gibson gave the Hawks a spark in the second overtime.  He was the only CSM player able to consistently penetrate the tight Pioneer zone, and he scored five straight points, on a drive, offensive rebound, and foul shot to give CSM a 96-93 lead with 2:32 left. 

   Chris Rhone made it 98-93 with 1:20 left as he was fouled on a drive to the basket and hit both free throws.

   Anne Arundel had one last chance, as Ellis Champion tipped in a miss with :20 left to cut the CSM lead to 98-95 and then the Hawks promptly turned the ball right back to the Pioneers on a traveling violation in the backcourt.  A long three pointer was off the mark however, and Rhone netted two free throws for the final 100-95 margin. 

   "You have to give Anne Arundel credit, they hung in with us all night with only six players"  said Coach Fong.

   Ellis Champion paced the Pioneers with 34 points, and Greg Sullivan added 20.

   For CSM, Wayne Gibson scored 34 points, 23 of them coming in the second half and overtime periods.

   Coach Fong also praised the play of Doug Reece, who finished with 6 points.  "Reece came out of his shell tonight, and had a key put-back down the stretch."

   The win improves CSM's record to 12-9, and 5-7 in the conference.  Anne Arundel drops to 3-15.

   The Hawks will have a two game road trip, beginning Friday at Essex, before returning home for their last regular season home game against Rockville on Saturday, February 9 at 8:00 PM.  It will be "sophomore night" as they play their last home game in the Hawk's nest.

   The Lady Hawks are scheduled to play at 5:30 PM against Prince George's on the 9th as well.