Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Trevecca Nazarene center Matt Gamberoni hit a clutch free-throw with just 0.4 seconds left on the clock to help the Trojans complete a 65-64 comeback victory against the visiting Kentucky State Thorobreds on Friday night.
The free-throw capped off a furious comeback for Trevecca Nazarene (6-7) who trailed the Thorobreds (1-5) by 11 at the intermission. After TNU got their first lead of the second half with just under nine minutes remaining, the teams went back-and-forth down the stretch.
After
Tryston Ford hit a jumper for Kentucky State with just 14 seconds left in the game, the Trojans took the ball down the floor to set up the final shot. With time winding down Percy Blade put up a 3-point attempt for TNU which clanked off the iron but into the hands of Gamberoni who immediately put the ball up towards the rim as the horn blared. After some confusion, the officials huddled and decided that a foul had occurred with just 0.4 seconds remaining. Gamberoni stepped to the free-throw line and sank his first attempt before intentionally missing the second. On the ensuing inbounds, Kentucky State was unable to get a shot off and the Trojans prevailed 65-64.
Gamberoni finished the contest with a double-double on a 13 point and 12 rebound performance. He also had a game-high seven blocks on the defensive end. Jalen Palm led the Trojans with 19 points to go with seven boards and four assists. Byron Sanford had 15 points on 7-of-23 shooting and was disruptive on the defensive end as well with a game-high six steals.
Starting
Kentucky State guard Ford led the Thorobreds with 17 points, mostly coming from beyond the arc on an impressive 5-of-8 shooting performance from 3-point range. He also had three rebounds, a steal and a block.
Markus Montague had an excellent game off the bench, finishing with 13 points and eight rebounds.
Ulysses Thomas III picked up seven of his 11 points in the second half and finished with a team-high five assists.
The Thorobreds now take an extended break before returning to the court in 2015 for the start of conference play. Kentucky State begins their SIAC schedule on Jan. 3, when they travel to Albany State for a 3 p.m. tip-off.
