Binghamton 5-6 White trailed 24-13 at halftime, but rallied with a superb defense effort in the final two quarters to get a 46-41 win at Athens (Pa.) Friday night.
Down 11 points at intermission, the third quarter began for Binghamton with Devin Weldon and Milton Jimenez picking up Athens guards at half-court. The additional pressure applied, combined with Binghamton's inside players recognizing Athens screens and making smart defensive switches, made the difference. Specifically, with less room and time to maneuver in the front-court, the Weldon/Jimenez pressure forced several Athen passes, many into the quick, waiting hands of Kyeem Holmes (Binghamton Defensive Player of the Game).
The result was a 9-2 run in the third quarter that got put Binghamton ahead for the first time in the contest, 30-28. Latrel McFarlane ignited the comeback with two inside baskets, and Nate Gaster hit two free throws to get White within 5 (at 26-21). Holmes scored on the inside (26-23) and a Gaster bucket held the line (28-25). A Gaster free throw got it to 28-26 before Jimenez tied it (28-28). It was a Jimenez inside move that put Binghamton in the lead for the first time (30-28).
Trailing 34-30 just into the fourth quarter, Gaster and Holmes baskets tied it again. Athens scored, and McFarlane answered (36-36). But a well coached Athens group kept coming, getting an inside bucket, adding a free throw to take a 39-36 lead.
It was at that point that the Binghamton full-court press went into play and White went on a 10-2 run to finish the contest.
Holmes scored to get it back to 39-38, and McFarlane's bucket gave White a 40-39 lead. Athens answered to re-capture the lead with less than 2 minutes remaining, but Binghamton had momentum, taking the lead for good on one of the game's more exciting plays.
Holmes drove to the basket, left side, appeared to get fouled, missed the shot and fell to the floor. The ball was loose and Gaster got a hand on it, sending it Holmes' way. Still on his back, Holmes reeled in the basketball and three Athens players jumped in, but not before Holmes alertly spotted Roberto Jensen, open on the low right-side block. Holmes zipped the ball to Jensen, who banked it home (42-41) with 58 seconds remaining.
Binghamton got a stop at the other end and McFarlane's slashing basket gave White a 44-41 lead at the 25-second mark. The Binghamton press then forced an Athens turnover, and Jensen, initially looking to run out the clock, suddenly found a wide-open Jimenez down-court for a fast-break lay-up (46-41) with 8 seconds left.
Athens outscored White 14-7 and 10-6 in the first and second quarters. Binghamton then outscored Athens in the third quarter 17-8, holding a 16-9 edge in the fourth, as well.
Defensive Player of the Game:
Kyeem Holmes
Binghamton White 46, Athens 41
Statistics:
* Latrel McFarlane - 16 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, 2 blocks (2-for-4 on free throws)
* Kyeem Holmes - 11 points, 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 9 steals, 3 blocks (1-for-5 on free throws)
* Nate Gaster - 9 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block (3-for-6 on free throws)
* Milton Jimenez - 8 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists (0-for-2 on free throws)
* Roberto Jensen - 2 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists
* Devin Weldon - 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 1 block
* Devin Young - 2 rebounds, 1 block
* Jordan Bideaux - 1 rebound, 1 block
* Andy Garcia - 1 rebound
* Team free throws - 6-for-15
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