Box Score
ANNVILLE, PA— Marcel Esonwune (Nigeria/ Marist Bros HS) tipped in the game-winning basket with 1.2 seconds remaining to give the York College men’s basketball team a thrilling 57-56 victory over Lebanon Valley College at the Rinso Marquette Invitational on Saturday night. York overcame a 16 point second-half deficit and did not have a lead the entire game until the final 1.2 seconds.
After trailing 38-22 with 17:56 remaining in the game, the Cardinals went on a 13-0 run to cut the lead to 38-35 with 14:49 left to play. Senior Michael Salamanca (Hollis, NY/ Cardozo) led the charge scoring eight points during the run.
However, Lebanon Valley would extend their lead back to seven points with 6:47 to play and looked to have regained control of the game as they led 52-45. The Cardinals would not quit, however, and cut the lead back to one point as Jonathan Winns (Elmhurst, NY/ Newtown) connected on a lay-up to make the score 56-55 with 46 seconds to play.
Lebanon Valley’s Kyle Enoch, who led all scorers with 24 points, had a chance to give the Flying Dutchmen a three-point lead with 17 seconds left but failed on two free throw attempts. Esonwune grabbed the rebound setting up York for the game-winning basket.
The Cardinals struggled in the first half, shooting just 29.6 percent from the field and 25 percent from the free throw line and trailed 33-19 at halftime. However, York turned up their play in the second half, shooting 56 percent from the field.
Salamanca finished with a team-high 20 points for York, while Esonwune netted eight points. Chris Roberts (Jamaica, NY/ Springfield Gardens) led York with seven rebounds.
York, 1-0, will play in the championship game tomorrow at 3 p.m. against Rowan University, who defeated #7 SUNY Brockport, in the earlier matchup.
