CONCORD, N.H. – NHTI Men's Basketball earned its second one-point scrimmage victory in as many days Sunday afternoon, defeating Roxbury Community College 71-70 at the Dr. Goldie Crocker Wellness Center on a game-winning putback from Jamar Gregory-Alleyne (Manchester, N.H.) with 4.5 seconds remaining.
The Lynx trailed 70-68 with 42.5 seconds remaining before Calvin Godbolt (Springfield, Mass.) converted a free throw to cut the deficit to one. Following a missed Roxbury free throw and an NHTI timeout, the Lynx collected two offensive rebounds on their final possession, with Gregory-Alleyne converting the second opportunity to put NHTI ahead.
Roxbury attempted a half-court shot in the closing seconds, but the attempt missed, securing the victory for the Lynx.
Godbolt led NHTI with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including two three-pointers. David Nicolas (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) added 10 points and four steals, while Linc Vanderhost (Nashua, N.H.) contributed eight points and two three-pointers. Jeremiah Ikpasa (New London, Conn.) finished with five points and a team-high seven rebounds.
FIRST HALF
NHTI opened the contest with five unanswered points from Godbolt, who converted a jumper and a driving layup before adding a free throw to give the Lynx a 5-0 advantage.
Roxbury responded with consecutive three-pointers to take its first lead at 6-5, but NHTI answered with a layup from Ikpasa off an assist from Kanye Foster (Hartford, Conn.) and a three-pointer from Jordan Roode (Pittsfield, N.H.) to move back ahead, 10-6.
The Tigers regained control midway through the half, building a 17-10 advantage before the Lynx began working their way back.
After Nicolas converted a free throw and Severin Aldadi (Manchester, N.H.) scored in the paint, Kestin Johnson Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) connected on a three-pointer from the left corner to cut Roxbury's lead to 21-18.
NHTI then forced a shot-clock violation, and Jacobi Cumberbatch (Raymond, N.H.) connected on a three-pointer from the left corner on the ensuing possession to tie the contest at 21.
The Lynx briefly regained the lead on a transition layup from Nicolas, but Roxbury answered to move back ahead.
With 3:21 remaining, Tafari Reid (Springfield, Mass.) converted a three-point play in transition off an assist from Vanderhost, bringing NHTI within one at 27-26. Nicolas followed with a floating layup to tie the contest at 28 with two minutes remaining.
Roxbury responded with five unanswered points late in the half to establish a 33-28 advantage before Roode recorded a steal near midcourt and converted a fast-break layup with 33.1 seconds remaining.
The Tigers added two free throws in the final seconds, but Godbolt answered with a layup just before halftime to send NHTI into the break trailing 35-32.
SECOND HALF
Godbolt opened the second half with a deep three-pointer to tie the contest at 35, but Roxbury answered with a three of its own to regain the advantage.
The Tigers extended their lead to 44-37 before NHTI began another comeback. Bryce Ballou (Canaan, N.H.) connected on a pull-up jumper, and Godbolt added a transition layup before hitting a deep three-pointer as the shot clock expired to pull the Lynx within two at 46-44.
NHTI eventually moved ahead, 51-46, following a steal and transition basket from Nicolas, but Roxbury continued to respond.
With 9:16 remaining, Nicolas connected on a deep step-back three-pointer to extend the Lynx's lead to 54-49. Vanderhost later added a basket to make it 59-54, but Roxbury answered with consecutive fast-break baskets and two free throws to regain a 60-59 advantage with 5:40 remaining.
Vanderhost responded with a deep three-pointer to put NHTI ahead 62-60, beginning a back-and-forth stretch in which neither team could establish a comfortable advantage.
Roxbury regained the lead at 65-64 following an offensive rebound and layup with 3:36 remaining, but NHTI moved back in front, 66-65, as the clock approached three minutes.
A Roxbury fast-break dunk gave the Tigers a 67-66 advantage with 2:47 remaining before Gregory-Alleyne converted two free throws to put NHTI back ahead by one.
Roxbury tied the contest at 68 with a free throw before eventually taking a 70-68 lead on a layup with 42.5 seconds remaining.
Godbolt drew a foul with 30 seconds left and converted one of two free throws, cutting the deficit to 70-69. NHTI fouled on the ensuing rebound, sending Roxbury to the line with 27.9 seconds remaining, but the Tigers missed the front end of the one-and-one, and Ikpasa secured the rebound.
Following an NHTI timeout with 22.2 seconds remaining, the Lynx inbounded in the frontcourt looking for the go-ahead basket.
NHTI missed a three-point attempt from the corner but secured the offensive rebound. After another missed layup, Gregory-Alleyne collected the second offensive rebound of the possession and converted the putback with 4.5 seconds remaining to give the Lynx a 71-70 lead.
Roxbury attempted a half-court shot on its final possession, but the attempt missed wide, sealing NHTI's second scrimmage victory of the weekend.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Godbolt's 18 points led the Lynx, while Nicolas finished with 10 points and a team-high four steals. Vanderhost added eight points, and Johnson Jr. contributed six, connecting on both of his three-point attempts.
Ikpasa led NHTI with seven rebounds, while Gregory-Alleyne collected four, including the offensive rebound that resulted in the game-winning basket.
The Lynx shot 43.5% from the field (27-of-62) and connected on nine three-pointers. NHTI also recorded 18 steals while forcing 23 Roxbury turnovers.
Richard Hawkins led the Tigers with 16 points, while Gabriel Correia added nine. Roxbury finished with a 34-32 rebounding advantage.
UP NEXT
Sunday's victory followed Saturday's split against Busche Academy, when NHTI defeated Busche Academy 2, 55-54, before falling to Busche Academy 1, 72-61.
All three contests were preseason scrimmages and do not count toward NHTI's official record or statistics.
The Lynx return to action Tuesday, Oct. 27, traveling to Vermont State University Johnson for a 5 p.m. exhibition at Carter Varsity Gymnasium. NHTI then returns home Thursday, Oct. 29, to host Colby-Sawyer College at 6 p.m. in another exhibition.
NHTI will open regular-season play at Hermiker County Community College on Saturday, Oct. 31. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
