LORETTO, Penn. - The Northeast Conference long haul road trip came to a close for the St. Francis Brooklyn men's basketball team on Saturday afternoon.
Fresh off a come-from-behind win over Mount St. Mary's in Emmitsburg, the Terriers squared off against Saint Francis for the final time this season.
The Brooklyn boys (10-17, 7-9 NEC) proved the victorious St. Francis, scoring the season sweep over the Red Flash (8-19, 4-12 NEC) with an 80-72 overtime win.
For the first time this season, the Terriers finished with three players scoring more than 20 points: Patrick Emilien (21), Rob Higgins (20), and Michael Cubbage (20).
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a physical opening three minutes, Patrick Emilien scored the first basket on an open mid-range jumper, tying the game at 2-all.
Rob Higgins broke a 6-minute Terrier scoring drought with his first three of the ball game with just under 11 minutes to play in the first.
The Terriers cut the SFU advantage to 9-8 when Trey Quartlebaum kicked to Larry Moreno on the wing for a triple.
Moreno finally tied the game with under seven minutes to play after Bahaïde Haïdara battled for an offensive board and swung it to Moreno at the top of the key for his second triple of the contest.
St. Francis rode the hot hand to take its first lead of the game on Moreno's third three-pointer of the first half.
The Terriers reached their biggest advantage of the first 20 minutes as Emilien slammed one home and drew the foul. His successful free throw put SFBK up 29-25.
They would take a 29-27 lead to the locker room. Emilien and Moreno carried the scoring weight for the Terriers with 11 apiece.
Moreno was perfect from three in the opening 20 minutes.
Tedrick Wilcox Jr. threw up a jumper from deep in the opening two minutes of the second half that pinballed down through the hoop to make five straight points for the Terriers to open the second half.
SFU retook the lead for the first time since the seven minute mark of the first half on a hard lay-up from Maxwell Land. The Red Flash led 40-38 at that point.
Higgins got back in the score column with just under 11 minutes to play, on a pull up three in transition - his third of the game. The Terriers trailed 51-49 with 10:04 to play.
Moreno stayed perfect from behind the perimeter to tie the game at 52. Two possessions later, the Terriers were back in front with another three, this time from Higgins. It was a 55-54 advantage with 7:34 remaining.
SFBK dialed in to take a 66-62 lead in to the final two minutes.
The Red Flash cut it to a two-point game when Zahree Harrison secured a fast break layup off a contested rebound.
The Terriers took possession in front of their own bench with 14.4 seconds remaining, coming out of their final timeout. Higgins was immediately fouled, and sent to the line. The first shot was off the mark, with the rebound ricocheted out of bounds.
Upon review, the Red Flash would take possession with 12.1 seconds to go. Josh Cohen went to the basket with 0.4 seconds remaining and was fouled. He hit both shots, tying the game and forcing overtime.
Michael Cubbage sunk four consecutive free throws for first points of the extra period to give SFBK a 70-66 lead.
Emilien made it six straight points with a fadeaway jumper in the lane, putting the Terriers in front 72-66.
Cohen scored the first field goal of overtime for SFU, but Emilien again had the answer. He scored 8 of the Terriers' 14 points in the extra period.
Taking advantage of repeatedly being put on the free throw line, SFBK went 6-8 in the final minute to secure 80-72 win.
The road win makes three in a row for the Terriers, their longest streak since the 2009-10 season.
TEAM LEADERS
Patrick Emilien recorded his fourth 20+ point performance this season, with 21 points. He added 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Rob Higgins scored 20+ points for the second straight game; answering his career-high 27 point night against Mount with 20 points against SFU. He also recorded 6 rebounds, 4 assists and a block.
Michael Cubbage retook the Terriers' mantle for 20+ point outings and double-doubles, making 5 this season on Saturday. He finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds, setting a new career high with 10 made free throws.
Larry Moreno got back on the scoresheet with 14 points and 5 rebounds.
NEXT UP: The Terriers close out the regular season with two games at Lynch Gymnasium; facing Bryant on Feb. 24 and hosting Merrimack on Feb. 26 for Senior Day.