Panthers ousted in overtime

Author: Jeff Patterson

In basketball, momentum is crucial, and sometimes a game's outcome is determined simply by which team is able to string together a better run at the end.

That was certainly the case in Middlebury's NESCAC quarterfinal game, in which the Panthers ended their 2006-2007 campaign with a heartbreaking overtime loss at the hands of Colby, 91-79. In defeating Middlebury, the Mules avenged their loss to the Panthers at Pepin Gymnasium earlier in the regular season.

Despite the fact that Middlebury played brilliantly in stretches, the men were unable to garner the type of consistency necessary in playoff games. Most importantly, however, the Panthers were unable to execute down the stretch.

"It was a game of runs," said Aaron Smith '09. "We just made mistakes down the stretch, and they hit their shots and free throws and used their momentum in overtime."

The game was a see-saw affair for much of the afternoon. After the opening tip-off, Colby immediately grabbed the momentum by opening up a quick 11-2 lead while the Panthers struggled to find the basket. The Middlebury faithful, fired up at the game's outset and looking for any possible chance to scream their lungs out, was left anxiously subdued as the Colby lead grew to 21-10 at the 12:48 mark.

Their suffering was short-lived. Down by nine points at the 9:48 mark, the Panthers responded with a 12-0 spurt to grab a 26-23 lead, sending the packed student section into an absolute frenzy. Neither team could open up a sizeable advantage for the rest of the first half, and Middlebury headed into the intermission holding a three-point lead, 37-34.

The second half could not have started any better for the Panthers. Within three minutes, Middlebury roared out to a 49-38 lead behind dead-eye shooting from Andrew Harris '08, who hit a pair of two's and a three during the spurt. A basket by Mike Walsh '08 at the 13:12 mark extended the Panther lead to 14. With the noise deafening and the student-section bleachers literally shaking, it seemed unfathomable that Middlebury would relinquish the lead.

But then the unthinkable happened. Colby raced out of a timeout with an 8-0 run that ended in a three by Nick Farrell. Farrell ended the game with 22 points for the Mules. According to Evan Thompson '07, Farrell was pivotal in getting Colby back into the game, and ultimately in securing the victory.

"Once Farrell hit a couple of shots from three," said Thompson, "not only did he decrease our lead, but he also opened things up for his teammates."

After that run by Colby, the game remained close down the stretch. The Panthers, nursing a five-point lead at 72-67 with 1:31 to play, failed to make any field goals in regulation. The Mules scored five consecutive points and sent the game into overtime. In overtime, the Panthers simply went on a cold stretch, as the hot shooting that had propelled them to such a large second half lead abandoned them. The Panthers were forced to start fouling as they trailed 80-74 at the 2:46 mark, but to no avail, as the Mules connected on 11 of 13 shots from the free throw line to seal the win.

For those seniors playing in their last game, it was an unfortunate way to go out. For the returning players, this game can only serve as a learning experience as they look to advance deeper into the playoffs next year. "This year, we set the bar for future Middlebury teams," said Smith, "and I think those returning will work even harder to continue this year's success."