Box Score

SALEM, Va. – Sophomore Sam Lebryk scored a career-high 24 points and set up freshman Andrew Kaufmann's game-winning shot from downtown as the Swarthmore College men's basketball team stormed to a thrilling 81-79 double-overtime victory over Roanoke on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Bast Gymnasium. The Garnet captured the Cregger Classic crown with the win, while Lebryk was named Tournament MVP.
 
After converting the equalizing field goals to force both overtimes, Lebryk once again found himself with the ball and a chance to provide heroics for the Garnet as the final seconds were ticking down and his team was trailing 79-78 in the second extra session. The sophomore drew a crowd and found an open Kaufmann, who nailed a 3-pointer from the left arc to put the visitors ahead by two.
 
Following a pair of missed free throws, Roanoke had the ball underneath its own basket with 0.8 seconds left. Seth Bradley got a desperation shot off from the right corner that would have counted, but the ball bounced off the rim.
 
Swarthmore (6-5), which never led in the second half, erased a 12-point deficit and tied the game at 64-all when Lebryk canned a jumper with 1:40 on the clock to create a photo finish at the end of regulation. Roanoke had a chance to take the lead in the final minute, but a Cameron Smith jumper missed and was rebounded by sophomore Chris Bourne with under 30 seconds left. Freshman Matt Brennan had his jumper rim out following two Swarthmore timeouts, and the teams headed to overtime deadlocked at 64.
 
In the first extra session, freshman Zack Yonda gave the Garnet their first lead since the opening minutes of the game by driving down the left side for a layup after receiving a long pass from Brennan. Lebryk broke a 66-66 tie by sinking a free throw, but the Maroons capitalized on offensive rebounds and were able to regain the lead on another layup from Smith.
 
Trailing 69-67, the Garnet had the ball with an opportunity to tie and force another overtime or to go for the win. The ball went to Lebryk, who came through by nailing a jumper with one second on the clock to keep the Garnet alive.
 
The clutch basket by Lebryk ignited the visitors and completely shifted the momentum, as the Garnet got six straight points from Yonda in the second overtime. Yonda's first layup was set up by Lebryk on the team's first possession that put the squad in control. Roanoke only led one more time until Kaufmann hit the biggest shot of his young career to propel the Garnet to the victory.
 
Lebryk led Swarthmore and was named Tournament MVP by scoring 24 points, grabbing six rebounds, dishing out three assists and recording two steals. Yonda contributed 18 points and four assists, while freshman Robbie Walsh finished with 12 points, seven boards, and four blocks to garner all-tournament team honors along with Lebryk. Brennan had seven assists.
 
Roanoke (6-5) was paced by senior Daniel Eacho's 22 points in the losing effort. Smith had 12 points and eight rebounds, while Julian Ramirez finished with seven points and nine helpers.
 
Swarthmore resumes conference play when it hosts 25th-ranked Franklin & Marshall on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 7 p.m.
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Cregger Classic All-Tournament Team
Daniel Eacho (Roanoke)
Sam Lebryk (Swarthmore) *** Tournament MVP***
Kevin Roach (New Paltz)
Cameron Smith (Roanoke)
Shaquan Turk (Eastern)
Robbie Walsh (Swarthmore)