In one of the longest games in Sun Conference history, Florida Memorial men's basketball team added an epic game to its storied season, outlasting Southeastern 106-104 in triple overtime to remain in first place.
Aaron Bryant scored the game-winning basket as time expired in triple overtime.
Southeastern came out and built an early 15-point lead in the first half on a 7-0 run with 7:37 left, but the Lions outscored Southeastern 16-9 following that run and trailed 38-30 at halftime.
A quick start to the second half by Florida Memorial tied the game at 41 with 17:26 left, on one of four 3-pointers by
Charlie Nedd-Araujo. Southeastern answered with a 16-3 run to take a 12 points lead 59-47 with 8:35 to go. Florida Memorial forced four turnovers and outscored Southeastern 16-2 in the final minutes, to take the lead 67-66 with 1:17 left. With 37 seconds left in regulation, Southeastern made a 3-pointer to go up 69-67. The Lions tied the game on the ensuing possession to force overtime 69-69.
Southeastern and Florida Memorial went back-and-forth in overtime. Florida Memorial built a 4-point lead, but Southeastern came back to send the game into double overtime. In the second overtime, Southeastern held a five-point lead with 1:25 left in double overtime. FMU got back-to-back baskets from
Kody Williams to cut Southeastern to a one-point deficit with 42 seconds left. Southeastern made two free throws on the following possession to take a 91-88 lead with seven seconds left, but
Charlie Nedd-Araujo drained a 3-pointer at the horn to force another five minutes.
Florida Memorial found themselves in a four-point hole in triple overtime, but free throws and another 3-pointer by
Charlie Nedd-Araujo tied the game at 102 with 1:21 left. A layup by Southeastern with six seconds left in the third extra period tied the game at 104, but
Aaron Bryant came back the other way with an off balance shot in the lane that danced around the rim and fell through the net to give the Lions the win.
Charlie Nedd-Araujo led the Lions with 32 points and 7 rebounds and
Jaelyn Johnson-Coston had 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Davon Williams poured in 18 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, while
Kody Williams contributed 16 points.
Aaron Bryant added 15 points off the bench for the Lions.
Florida Memorial Lions will return to the hardwood on Saturday, February 11th as they host Warner University in a battle of the conference top two teams. Tip-off is 6:00 p.m.
