Long-Range Bomber Guns Down Occidental at Buzzer in Overtime

Chris Behrman tossed in an off-balance, one-handed shot from 30 feet at the buzzer in overtime to lift Claremont College to a 65-62 victory over Occidental in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday at Occidental.

His coach, Dave Wells, was almost apologetic in victory.

“It was a great game and it was almost a shame to have it end on a Hail Mary,” Wells said.

Behrman offered no such condolences. His buzzer-beater in overtime served as redemption for a missed jump shot at the end of regulation.

“They were yelling these air-ball chants and no one likes to be hounded by the crowd,” Behrman said of a vocal group of Occidental fans.

Occidental, which squandered a 13-point second-half lead, fought back to force overtime when center Chris Anderson made an 8-foot jump shot from the baseline with 14 seconds remaining to tie the score, 57-57.

Claremont (10-8 overall, 3-0 in conference play) called a timeout with 9 seconds remaining, after which Behrman missed a 15-foot shot that did not draw iron. Occidental guard Ethan Caldwell grabbed the rebound and called timeout with 3 seconds to play. John Keister, who finished with a game-high 23 points, missed a 3-point shot at the end of regulation.

The Tigers (11-5, 1-2) fell behind in overtime but rallied to tie the score, 62-62, when Jon Crawley made a short bank shot with 30 seconds remaining.

Midway through the second half, Keister scored to give the Tigers a 47-34 lead.

With 5:38 to play, Claremont forward Mike Dawe made 2 free throws to trim the margin to 51-42. The free throws started a 13-4 Stag run that included 4 points from Matt Johnson and 7 points from Behrman as Claremont forged a tie at 55-55 with 1:42 remaining in regulation.

Occidental Coach Brian Newhall said that the Tigers were too tentative in nursing their lead.

“We played not to lose,” Newhall said. “No one wanted to risk throwing the ball into the post.”

Occidental lead, 25-20, at halftime.