WESTMINSTER, Md.—For the second season in a row, Swarthmore College Men's Basketball is headed to the postseason, clinching the berth on Saturday. The Garnet sit alone in first place in the Centennial Conference standings at 11-3 (17-4 overall) following Saturday's 89-81 overtime win at McDaniel College.
Sophomore Cam Wiley led all scorers with 21 points on 8-of-13 (61.5 percent) shooting, and added six rebounds and six assists. Wiley's scored 20-plus in each of the past four games. Four Garnet players scored in double-figures in the win. Nate Shafer dropped 18 points on 8-of-11 (72.7 percent) while grabbing five rebounds and blocking three shots. Zack Yonda, who needed 18 points to reach 1,000 for his career, finished with 17 points for the afternoon and will get the chance to join the 1,000-point club at home on Wednesday against Ursinus. Sam Lebryk added 10 points.
The Garnet shot 14-of-27 (51.9 percent) from 3-point range, their second-highest percentage on the season. Overall, the Garnet's field goal percentage, 54.1 percent, was a season high.
After gaining a double-digit first-half lead, the Garnet had the tables turned on them in the second period. A 12-0 McDaniel run brought the Green Terror within one point with 4:07 to play. The Green Terror finally tied the Garnet with 1:01 to go. Wiley netted a layup with 46 seconds left to give the Garnet the lead, but a pair of free throws from McDaniel's Nick Perugino evened the score with 26 seconds left and positioned the game for overtime. Perugino scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half.
In overtime, Yonda helped carry the Garnet to victory with eight points, two 3-pointers and two free throws. The Garnet went 3-for-4 from the floor and 6-for-6 from the free throw line in extra time. Swarthmore's defense held McDaniel to 2-of-7 shooting and forced two turnovers.
The Garnet improved to 4-0 in overtime games this season.
Next up for Swarthmore is Ursinus College (10-4 Centennial) at home at 7 p.m. Wednesday.