Nate Rohnert’s layup with 5.1 seconds remaining broke a 54-54 tie and lifted Denver to a 56-54 win over South Alabama, handing the Jaguars their third straight loss in a game decided in the final seconds.
South Alabama had one last chance after Denver called a quick timeout, but Domonic Tilford’s attempt at the buzzer was waved off. After conferring, the officials reviewed a replay of the final play and ruled that the shot had not been released in time.
Arrow On The Final Play
South Alabama coach Ronnie Arrow said the Jaguars planned to get the ball inside to Brandon Davis or to Tilford on the final possession. “We passed it a little too late,” Arrow said.
Arrow said the team’s effort had not been the problem during the losing streak. “I don’t know what to say. I feel bad for the guys. Yeah, we make the key mistakes but we play hard enough to win,” Arrow said. “We’ve played three games in a row that we’ve lost at the buzzer that we played hard enough to win. It’s got to change.”
Denver Hot In First Half
Denver shot 67 percent from the field and 67 percent from 3-point range in the first half while making 60 percent of its free throws. South Alabama shot 48 percent from the floor before halftime but missed all six of its 3-point attempts, and the Pioneers led 37-28 at the break.
Defenses Take Over After Halftime
Scoring slowed for both teams in the second half, when they combined to shoot 34 percent from the field. Denver shot 32 percent, made 1 of 11 3-point attempts and went 4 of 9 at the free-throw line. South Alabama shot 37 percent, did not attempt a 3-pointer and made 12 of 18 free throws.
Both teams endured long scoring droughts late. The Jaguars did not make a field goal over the final 5:58, and Denver went 7:33 without a field goal before Rohnert’s game-winner.
Individual Leaders
DeAndré Coleman led all scorers with 17 points for South Alabama, shooting 4 of 7 from the field and 9 of 10 from the free-throw line. Davis added 15 points despite foul trouble late in the game.
Rohnert led Denver with 12 points, and Rob Lewis added 11.
Up Next
South Alabama hosts New Orleans on Saturday at the Mitchell Center in a men’s and women’s doubleheader. The men’s game tips off at 2 p.m. and will be televised on CSS. The Lady Jaguars face New Orleans after the men’s game.
Both Denver and South Alabama compete in the Sun Belt Conference.
