Two Late Free Throws the Difference, as Wooster Knocks Off Host Oswego State 66-65 for National Quarterfinal Berth

OSWEGO, N.Y. – Dan Fanelly made two clutch free throws with 4.8 seconds remaining and then The College of Wooster got one final defensive stop to overcome the State University of New York at Oswego 66-65 during the sectional semifinals of the NCAA Div. III Men's Basketball Championship Friday night inside a near-capacity crowd at the Max Ziel Gymnasium.

Wooster (24-7) reaches a sectional championship game for the fifth time in team history, and first since 2011, and will take on No. 4 ranked Christopher Newport University (29-1) on Saturday night with a spot in the national semifinals on the line.

Notable, this was just the Scots' second win during a true road game in their storied NCAA tourney history, upping their mark to 2-11 in such contests.

Wooster had been leading Friday's sectional semifinal for the entire second half until Oswego State (22-9) put together a late 9-0 run, turning a seven-point deficit into a 63-61 lead with just over a minute to go.

After a timeout at the 1:09 mark, Fanelly tied the game with a driving lay-up and was fouled with 40.0 seconds on the clock. He made the ensuing free throw to put the Scots back in front (64-63).

Next, the Lakers' Brian Sortino drew a foul on a drive at the 16.4 mark. The first free throw rolled in and the second was true, as the home team went back ahead (65-64).

Oswego State called timeout to set its defense. After advancing into the frontcourt, Spencer Williams eventually possessed the ball on the left wing and threw it inside to Fanelly, who attempted a hook shot, but was fouled as the clock ticked under five seconds. His first free throw sandwiched between the back iron and the backboard before dropping in, and the second hit nothing but net.

The Lakers still had one last opportunity, but Sortino lost the ball while slipping, and Milt Davis picked up the steal to clinch Wooster's first trip to the national quarterfinals in five years.

Not only did Fanelly finish with the game-winning point, but he set the tone by getting off to a hot start. He made his first five field goals plus a free throw for 12 of the Scots' opening 17 points and a 17-9 lead.

Oswego State answered with its best stretch of the first half – a 13-4 run that resulted in its first lead at 22-21. The Lakers continued to hold the momentum, extending their advantage up to 29-25.

Wooster closed the half on a strong note, though, accounting for eight of the last 10 points to gain a 39-35 edge at the break.

During the second half, the Scots remained ahead, even overcoming a five-minute scoreless drought over one segment, however, Oswego State finally caught them to set up the thrilling back-and-forth finish.

Statistically, the two teams were nearly identical. Two differences were 3-point shooting, with Wooster making 8-of-20 and limiting one of the Lakers' normal strengths to 4-of-16, and the number of trips to the free throw line, where Oswego was 17-of-21, compared to the Scots' 8-of-11.

Fanelly scored a game-high 26 points and gathered 11 rebounds for his fourth double-double over the past six games, while Davis was the other Wooster player in double figures with 12 points.

Also of note, the Scots received strong contributions from Ari Stern, who had five points, three assists, and a steal, as well as Alex Baptiste, who tallied four points, two steals, and a blocked shot.

Sortino paced the Lakers with 23 points, however, Wooster hassled him into just 5-of-19 field-goal shooting. Providing a nice lift for them was Demetrius Mitchell, who piled up 13 points after coming in with a 3.8 scoring average.

Tip time for Christopher Newport and Wooster is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday.