NY Hoops: LuHi Hits Buzzer Beater to Down IMG on Senior Night

While a ton of the focus this weekend was on the PSAL Long Island Lutheran hosted the Bob McKillop Invitational. The Crusaders handled business Friday night when they dismantled Oak Hill and were looking to close it out with a huge win over IMG. All of the LuHi family was in the building for Senior night and the crowd was ready for this one. 

 

The Crusaders knocked down a three to start, IMG missed, Senior 6’5” SG Kiyan Anthony scored but Senior 6’3” PG Darius Acuff drilled a deep triple. LuHi missed, Acuff hit a jumper, Crusaders made two free throws, IMG got a bucket from Senior 6’8” W Sadiq White and LuHi threw it away. IMG went on a quick 6-0 run, LuHi hit a three, got a dunk from their big man then after a steal Senior Marquette commit PG Nigel James finished a lay up. 

 

The Ascenders got a slam, then converted an and1 to take a 17-14 lead after 1 quarter of play. LuHi scored first, IMG had a huge slam, Crusaders missed, Ascenders scored then gave up two free throws to Junior 6’5” PG Dylan Mingo. IMG missed, Anthony converted an and-1, Acuff scored, found White for a slam, James knocked down a three and then after a steal Anthony got fouled shooting three. He made all three, Acuff missed, Anthony railed a three, Acuff scored then found White and another big for slams. 

 

LuHi missed two free throws, Acuff hit a three, the Crusaders got a late bucket just before halftime. IMG lead 34-32 after two, they went 1/2 from the line, LuHi scored, Ascenders missed and Mingo buried a triple. Acuff hit a tough shot, Anthony answered with a bucket, IMG hit a three, LuHi split a pair at the line and White hit a big three. IMG turned it over, LuHi scored, James scored after a steal, Acuff made both free throws then knock down an NBA three. 

 

The Crusaders scored, White answered with a hoop, LuHi missed IMG, Ascenders hit a shot but LuHi hit a big late three. They were tied after three quarters of play and it felt like it was going to come down to who had the ball last. Anthony opened the fourth with a score, IMG missed, James scored, Acuff found the big for a slam and after a LuHi missed IMG added another free throw. Mingo hit a deep three, IMG added two free throws, Crusaders missed, White got free for a slam then James brought the house down with a huge dunk. 

 

They lead 61-59, got a stop, James found their big man for a slam, IMG missed, James scored again forcing a timeout. The Ascenders missed, Anthony almost got a three to fall, IMG hit a huge triple, Acuff got a stop then buried a massive bomb to tie it. LuHi rushed up the court and threw it back to Mingo who calmly knocked down the dagger to win it for the Crusaders. They won 68-65 in all time classic. Anthony lead LuHi with 15 points, Mingo was sensational with 14 while James added a huge 13. Acuff was as good as advertised finishing with a game high 21 while White added 13. Long Island Lutheran is back and stronger than ever heading into their league playoffs.