CRESSON, Pa. -- The Mount Aloysius men's basketball team earned an 82-81 victory over the La Roche Redhawks (2-6, 0-1 AMCC) this Wednesday, Dec 4. Guards Will Hagwood (Willowick, Ohio, South) and Eric Snow (South Euclid, Ohio, Trinity) would each block a shot in the final five seconds of the game to seal the victory for the visitors. 

The first half would be a deadlock between each team, with neither the Redhawks nor the Mounties able to extend their lead beyond four points. The Mounties would post one of their most efficient single-half stat lines this season from three, going 55% from behind the arc across the opening twenty minutes. Despite the visitors staying strong from deep, the Redhawks would keep pass with efficient interior play and conversions at the line, while the Mounties would struggle on free throws, hitting only seven of thirteen in the first. 

Forward De'Von Haggans (Harrisburg, PA, Central Dauphin) would continue his strong play for the Mounties throughout the game, leading his team in scoring with 30 points, adding in eight rebounds and three steals with only a single turnover. Haggans's presence inside, along with 22 points from guard BJ Busbee (Cleveland, Ohio, Lutheran East), would put the Mounties up seven with three minutes left to play. Despite the multiple possession lead, the Mounties would see their fortune flipped just two minutes later, with the Redhawks evening the score after a Mountie foul and turnover. 

Down by one with under a minute to play, Hagwood would nab the offensive rebound off his own miss, dishing it to Haggans to put the Mounties up one. Hagwood would end with a team-high 11 rebounds to go along with 16 points. Facing the final possessions of the game, Hagwood would offer help defense on an otherwise open La Roche layup, swatting the shot from behind and fighting for the rebound to maintain the Mountie lead. Still holding possession with under five seconds to play, the Redhawks would go one-on-one with Snow, throwing up a final layup as time expired. Snow would rip the shot out of the air, sealing the game for the Mounties 82-81. 

The Mounties improve to 3-4 overall this season, with a 1-1 record in the AMCC. The Mountes head to Bradford this Saturday to take on the Panthers in another conference match up. Pitt-Bradford enters the contest undefeated this season with a 5-0 record, coming off a 103-101 win against Fredonia.