(photo courtesy Jay Ruzicka)
The Dean Bulldogs came away with a hard-fought 104-103 victory over Rivier in triple overtime. Dean entered an electric Pieri Gymnasium, hoping to continue their winning streak against GNAC opponent, the Rivier Raiders and to get one step closer to a spot in the GNAC Tournament.
Both teams started cold, with almost no mid-range and three-point shots attempted within the first couple of minutes. However, the Bulldogs built an 18-10 lead halfway through the first half. Dean dominated under the glass in the first half, scoring 26 points in the paint compared to Rivier’s 12, but went 0-5 from three. The game quickly became a point-guard battle between AJ Weston of Dean and O’Darius Cade of Rivier. Both players traded drives to the paint, slicing and dicing defenses. Dean went into the half confident with a 34-27 lead.
After an energizing halftime performance from Dean's hip-hop dance team, Synergy, the Bulldogs brought their first-half momentum into the second. Charles Walker hit a three and a drive to the rim by Paris Smith got things going. Both teams continued trading shots, and while there was never a lead change, Rivier tied the game with an 11-4 run orchestrated by senior guard Devin Owens. A powerful layup by junior forward Paris Smith and later on a wild sequence with a steal from Smith and two made free throws by AJ Weston gave the Bulldogs a 75-73 lead with a minute left in regulation. Senior guard Charles Walker made another free throw to bring the lead to three. Rivier’s Devin Owens then hit a three to send the game to its first of three overtimes.
The fans in attendance continued to bring the energy into the third overtime period. After a costly turnover, a foul on Rivier, and a standing ovation for Dean athletic trainer Pat Dunn, both teams were tied with 30 seconds left. After a Rivier timeout, senior guard Jayden Madise missed his first free-throw attempt. The crowd went silent, before Madise hit his second free throw to give the Bulldogs their second straight win, 104-103.
“I’m going to make the next one,” Madise said after the game, destringing his range of emotions during his free throws. “I’ve been making free throws all year long, so I knew this next one was going in!” Madise continued.
“Just had a ton of confidence in our guys. These guys continue to battle” Bulldogs Head Coach Joe Cabral said. “Good things happen to good people, and I’m so proud of these guys who continue to battle.” When asked about the upcoming GNAC tournament, “We’ve gotta go win on the road in Johnson and Wales, it’ll be a tough tall task, but our guys will be up for it, and we’ll be ready to go”, Cabral continued.
The Bulldogs will be on the road next on Tuesday, February 13th at 7:30 PM, against Johnson and Wales. Both teams aim to secure a win to advance to the GNAC tournament.
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