MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Unbelievable. The Buccaneer men's hoops team defended their home court against conference-rival Lynn on Wednesday, Feb. 27., winning the game 63-62 on a buzzer-beating put-back from freshman
Marcelo Perez.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Barry 63, No. 15 Lynn 62
Records: Barry (16-10, 11-8 SSC), Lynn (21-5, 14-5 SSC)
All-Time Series: Barry leads 30-27
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
"I have to take a moment to compliment them [Lynn] on the season they're having. They have played numerous games that have went to the buzzer and they have won most of them. They've had an amazing season and tonight the ball just bounced our way, fortunately. I was really glad to see Marcelo Perez make a play. There was many, many times in the second half, on the offensive end, where we had a chance to break it open and we could not convert. Thank goodness our defense did such a great job." -- Head coach Butch Estes
"[Barry] is a tough program to come in and contribute as a freshman. I just try to give my best every single play and put in a lot of workouts alone. My coaches just say to stay in the moment. It's just a dream come true to hit a game-winner as a freshman." -- Barry guard Marcelo Perez
SUMMARY:
- Despite only holding the lead for one possession, the Bucs went toe to toe with the 15th-ranked Knights in the first half, never dropping behind by more than six points. A buzzer-beating fastbreak layup from Evan Walshe brought the Bucs within one point of the lead going into the locker rooms. | Lynn 39, Barry 38.
- Both teams came out of halftime sluggish on offense. The Bucs went 3:09 without a basket at one point, only for Lynn to almost top that with a 3:07 drought of their own. The Bucs ended the game on a 6-0 run to finish game, capped off by Perez's put-back at the buzzer to seal the deal for the Bucs.
NOTEWORTHY:
- In addition to his game-winning bucket, Perez tallied 15 points against the Fighting Knights, extending his double-digit scoring streak to three consecutive games.
- The Bucs' depth was the difference-maker on Wednesday, outscoring Lynn in points off the bench by a 26-8 margin.
ON THE HORIZON:
The Bucs will now finish the regular season on Saturday, March 2., against the Saint Leo Lions on senior night at the Health & Sports Center in Miami Shores, Fla. The SSC tournament quarterfinals will take place Wednesday, March 6 at campus sites, semifinals will be Saturday, March 9, followed by the finals on Sunday, March 10.
