Crespi Falters in 4 Overtimes, 69-66

Both coaches predicted a close game before Crespi High and Bishop Montgomery squared off in a Mission League basketball game Wednesday night.

But neither dreamed that four overtime periods would be needed to determine a winner.

Crespi had a chance to win on a last-second shot in each of the first three overtime periods, but couldn’t get the ball to drop.

Bishop Montgomery’s Ian Patel hit a three-point basket with seven seconds left in the fourth extra period, lifting the Knights to a 69-66 victory.

“Thank God he shot it. Thank God he made it, and thank God the game is over,” Bishop Montgomery Coach Doug Mitchell said.

It was a one-point game after the second and third quarters and it remained tight throughout the fourth quarter. Crespi’s Randy Coleman hit a short jump shot with 16 seconds left in regulation to tie the score, 56-56.

Crespi (10-8, 5-3) worked for the last shot in each of the first three overtime periods, but neither Rob Leff, who shot twice, nor Charles Aghajanian could convert.

Crespi’s Matt Carpenter converted a layup to tie the score, 66-66, with 1:47 left in the fourth overtime period.

After Bishop Montgomery’s Andre English missed underneath, Carpenter pulled down the rebound with 1:19 remaining.

The Celts were stalling for another last-shot attempt, but Jeff Luderer was fouled and went to the line with 26 seconds to play.

Luderer, the Celts’ best free-throw shooter, watched helplessly as his first free throw bounced off the back rim and into the hands of a Knight.

Crespi’s defense was keeping Bishop Montgomery outside the key, but Patel burned the Celts with his three-point basket.

Leff scored a game-high 23 points, followed by Coleman with 20 and Carpenter with 17.

Bishop Montgomery improved to 10-8, 6-2 in league play.

“I thought we played a great game. They won it on a freak shot,” Crespi Coach Chris Nikchevich said. “We had the chance to put it away in the overtime but because of crazy turnovers it just didn’t happen.”