GMC Hoops Highlights–July 22, 2016–Roselle vs. Union Catholic–Raritan Bay Summer League

Here are highlights from the action in the wild and thrilling game between Roselle and Union Catholic at the 2016 Raritan Bay Summer League. In a wild finish to the night at South Amboy Middle-High School, Union Catholic and Roselle literally went down to the wire in the nightcap game of the Friday quadrupleheader at the 2016 Raritan Bay Summer League.

After a back and forth start to the game that saw 6 lead changes and three ties, Union Catholic embarked on a 22-5 surge to turn a 15-13 deficit into a 35-20 lead with under two minutes to play in the first half. Roselle wouldn’t go away quietly though as it responded by scoring the last six points of the half, and then 13 of the first 17 points of the second half to tie the game at 39-39 with 7 minutes left.

Union Catholic would then score the next four points including a three point play at the five minute mark, but again Roselle would scratch and claw its way back with a 7-2 spurt to actually take a one point lead at 46-45 with 1:54 remaining. UC then went ahead with a pair of free throws at the 1:35 mark only to have Roselle tie it again at 47-47 by making one of two at the charity stripe with 1:18 to play in regulation.

Roselle then had a couple chances to go ahead, but missed two free throws with 50 seconds to play, and then Union Catholic drew a charge on a Roselle player with 18 seconds remaining. The Vikings then took a two point lead when they drew a foul and made two free throws with 8.1 seconds to go. The Runnin’ Rams of Roselle responded by getting to the line themselves and making one of two from the line with 3.6 seconds to play to tie the score at 49-49.

All of this set the stage for a remarkable ending. Union Catholic took the ensuing inbounds, and dribbled up the sideline past the scorer’s table at midcourt, and threw up a Hail Mary three pointer as the player fell to the ground, and the shot went in for the 52-49 victory.