HESSTON — In a season of gut-punches, Wednesday’s may have taken the cake for Allen Community College’s Red Devils.
The Red Devils had chances to win, not once or twice, but thrice, and saw Hesston respond each time.
By the time David Teele’s last 3-point attempt was just off the mark, it spelled the end of a 116-113 loss in triple overtime.
The setback drops ACC to 9-14 on the season and 2-6 in Jayhawk Conference play.
“We had opportunities at the foul line to win the game and couldn’t connect,” Red Devil head coach Patrick Nee said. “We gave up a couple of costly offensive rebounds that changed the outcome of the game. To lose in three OTs and let it slip away hurts.”
There were several noteworthy moments leading up to the final heartbreak.
Allen’s Killian Spellman drained a jumper with 32 seconds left in regulation to give ACC an 81-79 lead, but Hesston scored the equalizer on Quez Wright’s jumper 13 seconds later.
Allen held the ball for the final shot, but Randy Crosby’s trey missed at the buzzer.
Crosby’s bucket with 13 seconds left in the first overtime pushed Allen ahead, 91-90, but Wright was on the mark again with a jumper seconds later to give the Larks a one-point lead.
EJ Lewis hit 1 of 2 free throws to force double overtime after the Larks missed a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Teele hit a 3-pointer with 2½ minutes left in the second extra session, pushing ACC ahead, 100-94.
Hesston responded with a 3-pointer of its own, before ACC’s Dirk Johnson hit 1 of 2 free throws to make it 101-97.
Dante Jackson’s bucket with 29 seconds on the clock made it 103-98.
Montreal Myles hit a jumper for Hesston with 15 seconds left. Teele went 1 of 2 from the line to make it 104-100. Larry Ruffin scored for Hesston to pare the lead to two.
Allen missed on its next time up the court, allowing Jammial Hicks to score at the buzzer to force the third overtime, 104-104.
