WASHINGTON – Darius Gardner scored 22 points, including a game-tying basket at the end of regulation, as American University edged the University of Maryland, Baltimore County 63-61 in overtime on Thursday night.
Jesse Reed scored his lone basket of the game on a layup with 1.6 seconds remaining in overtime to break a tie and push the Eagles (1-1) past UMBC (1-1), after American University had given up a six-point overtime lead.
A traveling call with 8.9 seconds left in the second half and UMBC up 55-53 gave the ball to the Eagles, who capitalized as Gardner scored in the lane with 1.8 seconds left to force overtime.
In overtime, UMBC's Rodney Elliot made two free throws with 14.7 seconds left to even the score at 61-61 before Gardner drove into the lane and found Reed for the game-winning basket.
Chase Plummer led the Retrievers with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
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