Spartans Pull Off 74-66 Victory in Overtime

Head Coach Dennis O'Donnell Records 300th Win at STAC

The St. Thomas Aquinas College men's basketball team defeated Concordia College, 74-66.  The Spartans used a 13-5 run in overtime to claim the win.  Freshman Ra'Shad James lead all scorers with sixteen points while Akeem Comas and Chris Williams added fourteen and thirteen points respectively.  Pierre Gaspard made two free throws with four seconds remaining to tie the game at 61 and force the extra period.

The Spartans trailed by ten at the half but continued to fight in the second half as they chipped away at Concordia's lead.  Williams hit back to back three's with under seven minutes to play in the game to give STAC a 54-50 lead.  The Clippers regained the lead behind the strong offensive output of William Eason.  Eason finished with sixteen for the Clippers.  Williams hit two free throws with :57 seconds remaining to bring STAC within two, 61-59.  The Spartans forced a stop setting up Gaspard's opportunity to tie the game. 

Jamie Blanchard stole the ball and hit Chris Williams who finished a layup to break the tie in overtime and give the Spartans the momentum to finish strong.  Blanchard finished with five points all of which were scored in the extra period.  The Spartans were 10-17 from behind the arc including three from James.

The win marked head coach Dennis O'Donnell's 300th win at St. Thomas Aquinas College.  Coach O'Donnell is in his 18th season with the Spartans and has an overall record of 300-229.  With the win the Spartans move to 7-8 in the conference.

STAC will host Bridgeport on Saturday.  Tip-off is slated for 3:00.