The Justice

GETTING POSITION: Guard Joe Coppens '08 drives past a Trinity College defender inside during the Judges' 77-70 first-round NCAA tournament win Friday. Coppens hit a three-pointer with 27 seconds left in regulation to send the game into overtime, where the Judges dominated on their way to victory. Photo by David Sheppard-Brick/the Justice.

PROVIDENCE, R.I.-Down by three with only seconds left, Steve DeLuca '08 caught the ball in the corner Saturday night, one last chance to extend the Judges' breakthrough season in his hands.

Like many times this season, the men's basketball team had crawled back into the game, this time out of an 18-point hole against host Rhode Island College in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

But unlike only 24 hours earlier, there would be no last-second heroics. DeLuca's desperation three-pointer hit the backboard but missed the rim, and as the Anchormen celebrated a Sweet 16 berth with their fans, DeLuca crouched on the floor, his hands held over his head, his team's incredible late-season tear over.

"We were so close, so close," DeLuca told reporters after the game.

Playing in the tournament for the first time in 29 years, the Judges used a late-game run to defeat Trinity College 77-70 in overtime here Friday before losing 70-67 to the Anchormen Saturday. Brandeis finished the year 20-7, by far the best season the team has had since coach Brian Meehan began rebuilding the program four years ago.

Just one month ago, the Judges were 3-5 in University Athletic Association play, their postseason hopes slipping away. From that point, they needed to win every remaining game for any realistic chance at a tournament berth.

They did just that, winning their last six games, including a triple-overtime home victory over UAA champion Washington University in St. Louis Feb. 4 and a 76-67 comeback win at New York University Feb. 24.

"We had our backs against the wall these last couple weeks, and we won all the games we had to win," guard Joe Coppens '08 said Saturday. "This was a gutsy performance by a great group of guys."

Continued...

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