George Washington University Athletics
Missed Free Throws Cost GW
12/31/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
WASHINGTON, DC (Dec. 31, 1999) -- GW missed five free throws in the final 30 seconds of regulation allowing UNCC to overcome a late seven-point deficit and send the game to overtime and hand GW a rare home loss on New Year's Eve. GW shot a dismal 21 percent (7-33) from three-point range and missed a total of 15 free throws in the game.
After taking what seemed like a commanding 17-3 lead, GW went cold from the field while the 49ers rallied and grabbed a 35-34 lead at the break. The teams traded the lead several times during the second half with neither squad gaining more than a six-point margin. GW seemed to take control after three consecutive free throws by SirValiant Brown broke a 69-69 tie at the 4:52 mark, followed by a Chris Monroe lay-in.
The Colonials upped their lead to eight (80-72) at the 1:33 mark before a pair of three-point FGs by the 49ers cut the margin to 82-78 with 59 seconds remaining. UNCC began to foul the Colonials and the strategy worked as GW repeatedly misfired from the stripe.
Down three with eight seconds left, UNCC's Diego Guevara took the ball the length of the court and leaned into Brown while firing up a three-point attempt. Brown was whistled for the foul sending Guevara to the line for three shots. Guevara converted all three to knot the game at 85-85. GW got off a long desperation shot that bounced off the rim at the buzzer sending the game to overtime. UNCC took charge in OT as KenKay Jones scored six of his 16 points in the extra period.
