Springfield Edges Becker in Overtime to Advance to BSU Tip-Off Classic Championship Game

BRIDGEWATER, Mass. – Senior guard Alex Berthiaume (Springfield, Mass.) netted a game-high 30 points, including the go ahead three-pointer with just over a minute remaining in overtime, to lift the Springfield College Pride to an 86-84 victory over Becker College in the semifinal round of the 2012 BSU Men's Basketball Tip-Off Classic on Friday evening at the Tinsley Center.

The game marked the season-opener for both team.  Springfield advances to the tournament championship game on Saturday afternoon at three and will take on host Bridgewater State.  Becker will play in the consolation game against Plymouth State University on Saturday at one. Bridgewater downed Plymouth, 70-64, in the other semifinal matchup.

Berthiaume knocked down 11 of 18 field goal attempts and saved his only three-pointer for when it mattered the most.  He was also 7-of-8 from the free throw line, dished out eight assists and grabbed six rebounds.

Senior guard Jordan Rote (Sheffield, Mass.) added 17 points and nine rebounds for Springfield, while junior forward Robbie Burke (Cheshire, Mass.) chipped in with 16 points and nine boards.

All five starters finished in double figure scoring for Becker with sophomore forward Yahmad Rountree (Waterbury, Conn.) leading the way with 19 points.  Sophomore guard Lee Brockett (Waterbury, Conn.) finished with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists, and sophomore guard Donovin Ford-Hayes (Windsor Locks, Conn.) added 16 points, eight boards, four assists and a pair of steals.  Junior guard Mike Russell (East Hampton, N.Y.) notched 15 points, five assists and four rebounds and junior forward Tyler Roberson (Irvington, N.J.) rounded out the Hawks' double-digit scorers with 15 points.

The game was close throughout with neither team leading by more than seven points.  There were 11 ties in the contest and 14 lead changes including two ties and four lead changes in the overtime period alone.

After a Berthiaume layup with 2:24 remaining in regulation gave the Pride a 74-72 lead, Roberson sent the game into the extra session with a driving layup with 41 seconds left.  Springfield had two opportunities to win it the final ten seconds but a three-pointer and a contested layup both were off the mark.

The eleventh and final tie of the game came with 3:12 left in overtime as Burke sank the first of two free throws.  He then made the second to give Springfield the 80-79 lead.  The score remained that way until Russell drained a three-pointer with 1:26 on the clock to put the Hawks on top, 82-80.  Berthiaume, however, answered 24 seconds later with his only trifecta of the evening to put the Pride back up for good, 83-82.

Becker had two attempts on the ensuing possession but were unable to convert. Berthiaume sank two free throws with 20 seconds left to increase then advantage to three and the Pride would go on to the 86-84 victory.

Springfield shot 51% (35-for-69) from the floor and 26% (5-for-19) from three-point range. The Pride knocked down 11 of 13 (85% free throw attempts.

Becker also shot the ball well as the Hawks converted 53% (34-for-64) of their field goal attempts, including 11-for-22 (50%) from behind the arc. 

Springfield held a 38-28 rebounding advantage, including an 11-4 edge on the offensive glass.  Turnovers were even at 12 apiece.