Harvard Runs Out of Miracles in Overtime : Basketball: After Gelbard’s desperation shot in regulation ties the score, the Wolverines fall to Roman Catholic in second extra period, 70-69, in Delaware tournament.

After tying the game at the buzzer with a desperation three-point basket, Harvard-Westlake High lost in double overtime to Philadelphia’s Roman Catholic, 70-69, in the semifinals Friday night of the Slam Dunk to the Beach tournament.

Both teams seemed to have victory within their grasp in the final tension-filled minutes, only to see it slip away with costly fouls.

Roman Catholic--which led most of the game and largely controlled Harvard’s twin sensations Jason and Jarron Collins--finally won it with a foul shot by forward Curtis King with 0.4 second remaining.

“It was like pulling teeth,” Roman Catholic Coach Dennis Seddon said. “I felt we had five to 10 opportunities to win the game and five to 10 opportunities to lose the game. Time ran out at the right time for us.”

As the seconds ticked away in regulation, Roman Catholic was headed for a 59-56 victory, led by guard Donnie Carr.

But just before the buzzer in regulation, Harvard forward Alex Gelbard launched an off-balance jump shot from midcourt that somehow went in, prompting a wild eruption in the Cape Henlopen High gym.

“It was my total-desperation shot,” Gelbard said. “I remember catching the ball, dipping my shoulder and somehow firing it up one-handed.”

Jarron Collins had fouled out in the closing minutes of regulation so Gelbard’s dramatics sent Harvard (8-2) into overtime with only one twin. Jason Collins revved up his game, muscling inside for several critical baskets.

In the final minute of the first overtime with Roman Catholic (7-1) playing for a final shot, Harvard’s Rico Cabrera made a dramatic steal. But seconds later Leo Da Costa dribbled the ball out of bounds.

In the second overtime, Jason Collins continued his aggressive play, keeping the teams even, 69-69, with 15 seconds on the clock.

Carr missed a jump shot in the final seconds, but in the mad scramble for the rebound, Gelbard fouled King.

Jason Collins finished with 27 points and 13 rebounds and his brother had 10 points and two rebounds before fouling out. Gelbard finished with 14 points and eight rebounds.

After Harvard jumped to an 8-0 start, Roman Catholic’s Carr caught fire, crisply moving the ball up and down the court and shooting from inside and out. He finished with 28 points.

Harvard Coach Greg Hilliard considered Carr the key for Roman Catholic.

“He is a major league player who makes their entire offense run,” Hilliard said. “We tried to stop him. We tried.”

Harvard will play Bishop Loughlin of New York City in the third-place game today at 1 p.m. (PST).