Clark buzzer-beater sends Cougars past Wheaton in NEWMAC play

January 23, 2008

NORTON, MA- Clark University sophomore Mark Alexander's (Providence, RI/Marianapolis Prep) heave from 40 feet found the net at the buzzer and sent the Cougars past Wheaton College, 76-73 during New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) men's basketball play on Wednesday in Emerson Gymnasium. The Lyons, who had won five of the prior six series contests, fell to 10-5 overall and 1-3 in the league, while Clark improved to 9-7 and 4-1. Each of the past four meetings has been decided by seven points or less.

Alexander's winning shot overshadowed a stellar performance by Wheaton freshman Anthony Coppola (Watertown, MA/Watertown), as he matched his season high of 34 points while breaking his own program first-year record with eight three-pointers. The guard went 12-of-17 from the floor, including 8-of-11 from downtown. Coppola's eight threes fell one shy of a 17-year-old program record.

Leading up to the winning bucket, the teams played through four ties and three lead changes over the final 6:57 of regulation. A Coppola trey at the six-minute mark gave Wheaton a 65-62 edge, the largest advantage by either team from that point until the buzzer, as the lead was exchanged three times on three consecutive possessions during a 41-second span that culminated in an Alexander jumper with 2:35 to go that put Clark up 71-70. Wheaton never regained the lead, instead knotting the contest twice on free throws. The Lyons went just 3-of-6 from the charity stripe in the final 2:15, but freshman Ryan Sasso (Peabody, MA/Bishop Fenwick) hit a freebie with 27 seconds remaining to tie the score at 73 and set up the dramatic conclusion.

To begin the game, Clark edged out to a 6-2 lead behind baskets from three different players, but Coppola responded with five straight points to put the Lyons on top and spark an 11-2 run, with the final four points coming from sophomore Jaxon Leo (Leesburg, VA/New Hampton School). Coppola's three-point play made it 16-12 in favor of the hosts with 10:59 remaining in the stanza before Clark put together a 22-8 run during a 6:01 span that put the Cougars ahead, 34-24 at the four-minute mark. Four different players hit threes during the run.

Coppola nearly single-handedly kept Wheaton within striking distance, hitting three threes in a 1:12 span to make the deficit 36-33 at 2:24. Senior Brent DiGiovanna's (Hanover, MA/Hanover) offensive rebound and putback allowed the Lyons to stay within three at 1:48, but Clark scored four of the final five first-half points and took a 42-36 edge into the locker room. Coppola had 20 first-half points, going 7-of-9 from the field, including 5-of-7 from beyond the arc. Senior Pat Landers (Worcester, MA/Saint John's) led Clark with 10.

Four three-pointers, including two by Coppola, ignited a 22-6 Wheaton run to open the second half, pushing the Lyons out to the first of two 10-point leads at 58-48 with 10:54 to go. From there, Clark used a 14-4 run during a 2:33 span to knot the contest, as junior Peter Normandin's (Westminster, MA/New Hampton School) three-pointer at 6:57 tied the game at 62, leading to the back-and-forth finish.

Coppola added five rebounds, while Leo turned in 13 points and three assists. Senior Jake Otto (Glastonbury, CT/Glastonbury) provided a spark in his first start of the year, going 4-of-5 for nine points and snagging five rebounds, while junior Nick Michel (Hyde Park, MA/Boston Latin School) notched eight points on 3-of-4 shooting. The Lyons shot 52.0 percent, including 10-of-22 from beyond the arc.

Alexander led Clark with 18 points, Normandin had 16 to go along with eight rebounds, and Landers finished with 10 points and seven boards. Sophomore Chris LoPiano (Franklin Square, NY/Saint Dominic) shot 6-of-7 for 14 points and added five assists. The Cougars shot 55.6 percent and hit eight three-pointers.

Wheaton heads to the road for another NEWMAC contest on Saturday, as the Lyons face Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Due to WPI's court being unplayable, the game will take place at Worcester State College at a time to be determined.

This page is maintained by Scott Dietz. Last updated on 1/23/08.
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