Posted: Feb 15, 2022
Love was in the air on Monday night at Cleveland State as the Jackson State Green Jays soared into town for a big NJCAA/TCCAA Region VII showdown inside the, "Q," L. Quentin Lane Gymnasium.
The Cougars caused a few hearts to skip a beat in the men's contest as the home team needed and overtime period to pull out a win over the Green Jays, 91-88
The Cougars and Green Jays traded buckets for much of the first half. Jeff Norment had the hot hand for the Green Jays in the first half as he scored from almost every point on the floor, pouring in 20 points in the first 20 minutes.
Khris Green hit a short jumper, a layup and converted a three-point play in the early going while Tony Sapp came off the bench and immediately tossed in nine quick points including a pair of shots from downtown. K'Juan Banks hit a pair of tough shots in the paint and Miguel Shaw did the same as the Cougar pushed their lead to 11 points and would hold a 40-33 halftime edge.
The Green Jays employed a full-court press to start the second half and it paid off handsomely with several Cougar turnovers. Norment let fly with another 3-ball and Dontae Williamson added a pair of buckets as the visitors took a 50-44 lead midway through the half.
Marcus Averhart hit a much-needed 3-pointer for the Cougars to seemingly stop the bleeding, but the Jays defense didn't let up and spurred another 14-2 run. Williamson and Norment had a steal and slam dunk each while Williamson and Julian Hibbler added a trey each as the Green Jays sprinted out to a 14-point lead, 64-50 with just under seven minutes to play.
Following a pair of timeouts, and a few encouraging words from coach Raphael Howard, the Cougars suddenly came back to life to erase the lead in lightning quick fashion. Shaw got things rolling with a long range bomb and Averhart added two more from behind the arc with the second one tying the game at 68 all.
Three tough buckets in the paint by Banks put the Cougars on top by five points, 77-72 but the Jays would not go quietly and scored the next eight points to once again take the lead at 80-77 with less than a minute to go.
Khris Green found himself at the line with seconds to play in regulation. Green calmly hit the first free toss, missed the second but somehow, not only got the rebound but, found a way to put it back up and in to force free basketball and overtime.
The game was tied or the lead changed hands six times in the overtime period as the intensity level went through the roof.
Finally a free throw by Charles Freeman tied the game for the Cougars, an offensive rebound tip-in from Banks and a clutch shot by Shaw sealed the amazing win for the home team.
Shaw had a monster night as he paced the Cougars (10-11, 7-8) with 20 points and 13 rebounds, Banks added 19 points, Green finished with 16 and Averhart added 13. Norment led the Green Jays (4-12, 3-12) with 37 points and five steals while Williamson added 16 points.
The Jays shot an incredible 57% for the game, but the Cougars won the battle on the boards decisively, 56-28 including and amazing 33 on the offensive end. The Cougars were also good from the free throw line hitting 19-25 while the Jays only hit 14-22. The Cougars ended up with a disturbing 21 turnovers but, caused 18 by the Jays.
