TROY – With their top player, Daniel Buie, on the bench with a foot injury, the Flying Horses beat Shaker in OT in a contest that was closer than the 88-83 final score.
It came down to who was going to make the last mistake on Tuesday, Jan. 30 in the Suburban Council matchup in Troy.
The Gray Division Blue Bison (9-3 conference, 11-4 overall) did just that after leading by as many as nine with 1:39 left in the third quarter.
The Flying Horses (8-4 conference, 9-6 overall,) of the Blue Division, clawed their way back thanks to clutch free throws and some costly Blue Bison turnovers (and a bad offensive foul call in the waning moments.) And the Blue Bison stayed in the game thanks to capitalizing on some untimely fouls by Troy.
In OT, Troy went eight of 10 from the line and Shaker hit five of six.
Shaker junior forward Sloan Seymour led all scorers with 24 points including 11-13 from the line. Junior Devin Mahoney chipped in 17, including nine of 10 from the stripe. Senior guard Cameron Germaine knocked down five three pointers for the Blue Bison.
Senior forward Elijah Davis led Troy with 21 including hitting six of eight from the line while Ryan Carmello had 20 points, but he struggled at the line going just three for 13. Brandon Homes chipped in 18 for Troy, including nine of 10 from the line.
Rounding out the scoring for Shaker were junior guard John O’Donnell with 11, Jacob Cook with eight, Anthony JeanPierre with six and Brandon DiCostanzo with a bucket.
For Troy, Zavion Chaney had 11 points, Joe Casale had 10 and Ethan Evans chipped in eight.
Shaker will host Albany on Friday, Feb. 2 while Troy travels to Shenendehowa.