YORK, Pa. – The Anne Arundel Community College men's basketball team rallied from a 13-point deficit in the last five minutes of the game to defeat host Penn State York, 61-59, Saturday in the Riverhawks' season opener.
Zef Fuanya led the offense with 23 points, shooting 4-for-8 from three-point range. Devon Marshall recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Ryan Stacy impressed in his collegiate debut with 13 points and five rebounds.
Trailing, 54-41, with 5:09 to play, Miles Evans and Fuanya hit back-to-back three-pointers to spark the Riverhawks' comeback. AACC continued to chip away at the Lions' lead, getting to within one, 58-59, on a Miles Evans three-pointer with 1:47 left to play.
After a Lions' 30-second timeout with 44 seconds left, Fuanya intercepted a pass atop the Lions' three-point arc and scored a breakaway layup for a 60-59 lead. Marshall had a key block and defensive rebound with five seconds left, drawing a foul in the process. He hit the second free throw to give the Riverhawks a 61-59 advantage with 3.4 seconds left. The Lions heaved up a desperation three-pointer at the buzzer, but it careened off the side of the backboard.
The Riverhawks got off to a slow start in the game, trailing 8-0 until Fuanya sank a three-pointer at the 13:36 mark. PSU York maintained the lead until late in the half when the Riverhawks used a 7-0 run to take the lead, 21-20. The teams traded the lead twice more in the half before Jayden Weishaar made a three-pointer to send the Lions into the locker room with a 25-23 lead.
Penn State York held AACC scoreless for more than four minutes midway in the second half to build up to a 13-point lead with 5:09 to go before the Riverhawks mounted their comeback.
The Lions shot 38% in the game and led the rebounding battle, 33-15. After shooting a dismal 26% in the first half, AACC shot 50% in the second half, and went 5-for-8 from three-point range in the frame.
The Riverhawks are back in action this weekend at the Shannon Williams Classic at Middlesex College. The Riverhawks face Monroe-Bronx on Saturday, November 16 at 3 p.m., and take on the host Colts Sunday at 1 p.m.