SHARP HITS GAME WINNING 3
It was a wild final minute for the USCAA Play-In Round where the UMaine Augusta Moose would overcome a 24 point deficit and knockout the Andrews University Cardinals with a 3pt shot by Donte Sharp with just .5 seconds on the clock. Final 70-69.
24 POINT COMEBACK LEADS MOOSE TO THE SECOND ROUND
Cardinals Control the First Half
Andrews came out aggressive defensively, forcing early Moose turnovers and converting them into points. After falling behind 5-0, the Cardinals responded behind Demarien Nichols and Duane Darrett. Preston Flowers knocked down a jumper to spark the offense, and Darrett followed with a strong finish inside to give Andrews its first lead at 6-5.
The Cardinals extended their advantage with balanced scoring and strong rebounding. Rafael Samuels buried a three-pointer midway through the half, and Nichols added a triple of his own as Andrews stretched the margin to double digits.
Darrett was particularly efficient, attacking the rim and converting at the free-throw line. A late surge — capped by a Damarion Travis three-pointer in the final minute — sent Andrews into the locker room with a commanding 39-18 lead.
Moose Storm Back
The second half told a completely different story.
UMaine Augusta tightened up defensively and began chipping away. Sharp ignited the rally with back-to-back three-pointers, cutting a 24-point deficit to 45-27. Matthews and Chang added key buckets, and suddenly momentum had shifted.
Despite Darrett answering with a pair of clutch three-pointers to push the lead back to 53-30, the Moose refused to fold. Sharp continued to heat up from beyond the arc, drilling multiple triples and attacking the basket. His three with 6:34 remaining pulled UMaine Augusta within seven at 61-54.
The Cardinals struggled with turnovers and missed free throws down the stretch, allowing the Moose to creep closer. With just over two minutes left, Sharp calmly sank three straight free throws to give UMaine Augusta its first lead since the opening minutes, 65-64.
Wild Final Minute
Andrews responded when Samuels converted a layup to put the Cardinals back ahead, and Jonathan Pelote delivered under pressure at the line, helping Andrews regain a 69-67 advantage with eight seconds left.
But Sharp wasn't finished.
With three seconds remaining and the Moose trailing by two, Matthews found Sharp beyond the arc. The guard rose up and buried the game-winning three-pointer, stunning the Cardinals and completing a remarkable comeback leaving only .5 seconds on the clock. Andrews final attempt was stolen by Rocco Chang as the Moose stormed the court.
Final Score: UMaine Augusta 70, Andrews 69.
Sharp's late-game heroics capped an explosive second half performance and erased what had once been a 24-point halftime deficit — a comeback the Moose won't soon forget.
Next Game - Second Round vs Cincinnati Clermont Cougars on Wednesday, March 4 at 8:15pm.