Box Score BOX SCORE

ALBANY – Junior forward Argelix Gil came up with a steal on the Saint Rose baseline with nine seconds remaining and then junior guard Brandon Whitaker hit a pair free throws to allow visiting Concordia College to hold on for an 83-82 overtime victory against The College of Saint Rose tonight.

Sophomore guard Kareem Thomas recorded career-highs of 20 points and seven assists to lead the Golden Knights (0-1) in the opening day of action at the Saint Rose Tip-Off Tournament presented by The Hilton Garden Inn-Albany Medical Center. Meanwhile, senior guard Rob Gutierrez tossed in 18 points and sophomore forward Dominykas Milka also had 18 points, a career best, and nine caroms throughout 29 minutes off the bench.

Whitaker went 9-for-18 from the floor on the way to a game-high 26 points to go with six assists, while Gil registered a “double-double” behind 12 points and 18 boards for the Clippers (1-0). Sophomore guard Norman Pope finished with 15 points and freshman forward Mohamed Abyss added 10 to round out a quartet of Concordia double-figure scorers.

The game featured 11 ties and 14 lead changes although the Golden Knights found themselves down 38-31 at the break. They responded with a 15-2 run out of the locker room that yielded a 46-40 advantage following a putback dunk from senior forward Sheldon Griffin with 15:20 remaining. However, Concordia whittled away at its newfound deficit during the next five minutes to eventually deadlock the affair at 52-52.

Concordia was subsequently up three with 41 seconds remaining after Whitaker drained another pair from the foul line. However, Thomas stroked a 3-pointer from the left wing on the next possession to force the extra session.

After Gil opened the scoring in overtime by finishing in the paint, Gutierrez buried a 3-pointer from the left corner that ultimately afforded the Golden Knights their final lead as they went just 3-for-9 from the field during the last five minutes.

In tonight's first game, C.W. Post shot a sizzling 57.3 percent (43-for-75) from the floor and held off a late charge by Saint Anselm to chalk up a 104-99 victory. Sophomore forward Vaughn Allen recorded a “double-double” behind 21 points and 13 rebounds and junior guard Tobin Carberry tossed in 22 points to pace five players in double-figures for the Pioneers (1-0). Freshman guard Roy Mabrey had 26 points for the Hawks (0-1) who rallied from 14 point deficit in the final 3:43 to get to within a pair, before C.W. Post sealed it by going 3-for-4 from the foul line.

Looking ahead, the Golden Knights will wrap-up the second and final day of tournament action tomorrow with a 4:00 pm home date versus C.W. Post. Concordia and Saint Anselm will face each other at 2:00 pm.