March 5, 2008

Box Score |  Notes

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)--John Griffin canned a desperation 40-foot shot at the buzzer to give Bucknell an 87-86 triple-overtme win against Navy in the first round of the Patriot League Tournament on Wednesday.

Navy had taken a 86-84 lead with two seconds to play on a tip-in by T.J. Topercer.

The exciting finish was indicative of the game, which saw the Bison overcome a 17-point deficit in the second half to send the game to overtime. Once overtime began, neither team led by more than three points as the lead bounced back and forth. It was the first triple-overtime game in the history of the Patriot League tournament.

Seventh-seed Bucknell (12-18) advances into the second round and will play at Colgate, a 76-74 winner over Lafayette, in Sunday's semifinals. The win also kept alive the Bison's streak of first-round tournament wins dating back to 2000.

Second-seed Navy (16-14) hasn't advanced past the first round of the tournament since 2001.

The Mids were led by Patriot League Player of the Year Greg Sprink, who had a career-high 37 points. Sprink scored 24 points in the first half, then picked up his fourth foul with eight minutes to play. He didn't foul out until 39 seconds remained in the second overtime.

Griffin, who had missed a free throw in the second overtime that could have won the game, led Bucknell with 21 points. Todd O'Brien and Castleberry added 12 for the Bison and Darren Mastropaolo had 10 points before fouling out near the end of regulation.

Chris Harris played 52 of the game's 55 minutes and had 17 points and 8 assists for Navy. Kaleo Kina had 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, and Romeo Garcia had 12 points and 9 rebounds.

In the second overtime, Navy trailed 75-72 with 16 seconds left when Kina hit a three-pointer to tie it.

In the first overtime, Navy led 65-62 with 2:15 left after a jump shot by Sprink, but Bucknell tied it on a basket by Stephen Tyree with 1:50 to play and a free throw by Casteleberry with 52 seconds to play. Castleberry had missed the first end of the two-shot foul and missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer that would have won the game.

In regulation, Navy led by 45-28 with 15:43 to go before Bucknell rallied to tie the game for the first time at 50 and again at 59.

Navy led 59-54 with 1:36 to play, but the Bison went on a 5-0 run capped by O'Brien's tying basket with two seconds left.

O'Brien's basket to open overtime gave Bucknell its first lead of the game.