Only 1.8 seconds remained on the clock. Only 1.8 seconds stood between Our Savior New American and a tournament victory. But apparently, against Champlain St. Lambert of Canada, 1.8 seconds was just too much time to defend a buzzer beating basket.
Ibrahim Appiah's right-side three-pointer as the buzzer sounded lifted Champlain St. Lambert to a 75-73 win, giving his team the Our Savior New American Invitational title win.
In a play that looked like the Valpo win in the NCAA tournament several years back, Champlain St. Lambert first had to throw the ball over 7-foot-5 center Ring Ayuel from behind the Our Savior basket.
The first pass reached center court. As an Our Savior player attempted to intercept it, as quickly as it reached the player's hands at center court, it was distributed to the cutting Appiah along the right side. Two steps and a dribble, Appiah swished the game winner home. The stunned players from Our Savior stood in silence as Champlain St. Lambert players hugged and danced around the court in Centereach, NY.
It was an unfortunate ending for OSNA. Their backcourt play was terrific again. Tim Ambrose led his team with 30 points while backcourt mate Tyvon Williams added 25 points. Each had a solid game also in distributing the ball.
Appiah finished up with 18 points for the winners. His teammate, Max Boudreau, had a solid game too, scoring on many baskets inside the paint. Boudreau, a 6-foot-8 senior forward, scored 20 points in the title game.