WATERVILLE, Me. - Michael Lush (Chelsea, MA) took just three shots against Thomas College, and only hit one of them. However, Lush's last second ally-oop lay-up saved the day as Lesley University downed Thomas College 72-70.
James Parker (Sandwich, Mass.) had a team high 16 points for Lesley. Malcolm Andrews (Medford, Mass.) scored 13 points and added a team-high nine rebounds. Joe Chatman, the sparkplug of Lesley's offense, had nine points and a team-high five assists.
The Terriers were led by Adam Rich (Madison, Me.) who had a game-high 22 points. Darrell Alexander (Fairfield High, Texas) and Reggie Jett (Shea High, R.I.) added 16 and 10 points respectively.
The Lynx led by nine points at the half, 42-33. That lead would vanish almost instantaneously as Thomas opened the second half on a 11-4 run, cutting the lead to two, just four minutes into the second half.
With 6:57 left in the game Jim Veino (Marshwood High, Me.) gave the Terriers their first lead of the second half. John Micelin (Everett, Mass.) responded for the Lynx, tying the game up with a jumper.
The game would go back and forth the rest of the way down the stretch. With four minutes remaining Lesley was down three until Parker drained consecutive three's to give Lesley a three point lead.
Both teams were unable to grab a firm grip on the game and the battled continued back and forth. To those who were present it was obvious that the game would go down to the wire.
With 49 seconds left Jett hit a pair of free-throws to give Thomas a two point lead. The Lynx would respond as Anthony Drayton (Roxbury, Mass.) made a lay-up with 29 seconds left, tying the game up at 70.
On Thomas's next possession Jett would turn the ball over, setting the stage for Lush and Chatman. With three seconds left Chatman was able to find a cutting Lush with a perfect pass and Lush took care of the rest.
With the win the Lynx improve to 10-10 overall and 6-5 in the conference. For more information on the Lesley men's basketball team please go to their website.