News Release

Newburgh, NY — Freshman Mike Hoyt (Florida, NY) forced overtime with a dramatic three-pointer at the buzzer as Mount Saint Mary College (19-8) rallied from a 13-point deficit in the final three minutes of regulation to stun No. 3 seed Manhattanville (18-9), 71-64, at the Kaplan Center. With the win, No. 2 seed MSMC advances to the Skyline Conference title game to take on No. 1 seed SUNY Old Westbury on Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Old Westbury, NY.

Hoyt’s buzzer-beater came after the Blue Knights’ retained possession with 1.5 seconds remaining on the clock following a missed three-pointer by junior Kenny Lane (East Meadow, NY). Hoyt took the inbounds pass from senior Shawn Coffey (West Sayville, NY) and launched a desperation shot from the right wing that hit nothing but net on the way down.

Hoyt’s heroics capped a 13-0 run to end regulation in which the Mount trailed 60-47 with 2:54 remaining. Hoyt began the surge with two free throws then Lane converted a field goal to trim the lead to nine points with 2:14 to go.

Then, Hoyt and junior Roberto King (Hempstead, NY) nailed six consecutive free throws to cut the deficit to 60-57 with 41 seconds remaining as the Valiants went ice cold from the line. Manhattanville missed the front end of three one-and-one’s plus came up empty on two other free throws in the final two minutes of regulation. The Valiants were 0-5 at the line, 0-1 from the field and committed two turnovers in the final 2:22.

In overtime, senior Brendan Twomey (New Windsor, NY) gave the Blue Knights their first lead of the game at 62-60 with 4:24 to play. Hoyt nailed a three-pointer to push the lead to five points. Following a Manhattanville hoop, Hoyt nailed a runner in the lane. Hoyt and Twomey sealed the contest with four straight free throws as the Mount escaped with the victory.

Hoyt had a game-high 30 points and added seven rebounds. The freshman guard scored a career-high 36 points in the Mount’s 88-79 quarterfinal win over No. 7 seed St. Joseph’s-Patchogue on Tuesday. Twomey added 15 points and six rebounds. King chipped in with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Senior center Farid Johnson (Yonkers, NY) scored 21 points to lead the Valiants. Senior forward John Danielski (Ansonia, CT) had a remarkable 27 rebounds to go along with his 14 points. Manhattanville owned a 55-39 rebounding edge in the game and grabbed 21 offensive boards.

The Valiants raced to a 31-14 lead with 7:58 remaining in the first half and led 39-32 at the break. Manhattanville led by as many as 14 points in the second half with 7:02 remaining.

MSMC outscored Manhattanville 24-4 in the final 7:54 of the game (including overtime). The Valiants were 0-10 from the foul line for the game.