News Release

TOWSON, Md. — James Russo made two huge plays tonight in the closing seconds of the longest game in the history of Goucher's men's basketball program. First, with his team trailing in the third overtime, 104-102, the sophomore guard nailed a shot from 28 feet out to put the Gophers ahead by a point, and then he stole the ensuing inbounds pass to secure a 105-104 victory over Cabrini.

Russo was one of six Goucher players to score in double figures, leading the way with 20 points.

In improving to 5-0 in the Sports & Recreation Center this season, the Gophers (7-2) overcame a five-point deficit in the third OT. A free throw by Jermaine Saunders cut the Cavaliers' lead to 102-98 with :41 remaining, and his lay-up with :20 showing on the clock made the score 102-100. After Jim McMahon hit two free throws to restore Cabrini's advantage to four points, Saunders converted another lay-up to bring Goucher to within 104-102 with :11 left to play.

The Gophers put Cabrini's Messiah Reames at the foul line for two attempts with :10 remaining, but he missed both to set the stage for Russo's game-winning three-point shot.

The Cavaliers (6-4) led by as many as 14 points in regulation, which ended with the two teams deadlocked at 76-76.

At the end of the first five-minute extra session, a steal by Saunders set up a lay-up by Kevin Green which created an 86-86 tie. Goucher took a 94-92 lead with :33 remaining in the second OT on a lay-up by Trevor Quinn, but the Cavaliers answered at their end with a lay-up by Reames to force a third overtime period.

The Gophers had been involved in 25 overtime games during their first 14 years of existence, including six that required a pair of overtime periods to determine a winner, but this was the first triple-overtime affair in program history.

The only other meeting between the Gophers and Cavaliers took place in the opening round of the 1997 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship. Before an SRC crowd numbering 541, Goucher defeated Cabrini in the inaugural meeting, 67-60.