Box Score

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Deshawn Murphy (Hamden, Conn.) led all scorers with 30 points as the Southern Connecticut State University men's basketball team rallied from a 13 point halftime deficit to defeat Le Moyne, 70-69.  The sophomore recorded 25 points in the final period.

Tylon Smith (Manchester, Conn.) made the game-winning free throw with two seconds left to provide the winning point. The Owls' tri-captain had 11 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals.  Fellow tri-captain Greg Langston (Stratford, Conn.) sealed the Northeast-10 Conference victory with a steal.

The home Dolphins, which opened the game on an 11-4 run, got the jump on SCSU in the first half, leading 19-8 less than nine minutes in.  Le Moyne, which shot 51.6% from the field in the first 20 minutes, closed the first period on a 16-7 run.  The Owls, limited to a 28.9% a shooting percentage, trailed 38-25 going to the locker room.

Upon their return to the hardwood after the intermission, Southern Connecticut shooters got hot.  After baskets by Smith, Murphy and Langston, the scoreboard showed the visitors up a point, 42-41, with 14:54 left in the game.

The back and forth contest featured 17 lead changes along with six ties. 

Down a deuce with just over two minutes left, Murphy took over.  The forward had the Owls' next seven points, knocking down a jumper, a three pointer and two free throws, to tie the NE-10 game at 69 all with 23 seconds remaining to set up Smith's clutch foul shooting. 

Nate Champion led Le Moyne with 23 points, while SCSU made eight treys in the second period..

Southern Connecticut. 8-1, 4-1 Northeast-10 Conference, hosts New Haven on Sunday Dec. 22 at 3:30 p.m.