ROCKVILLE, Md. - The No. 7 Harford men's basketball team is heading back to the MD JUCO Championship Game for the second time in three seasons after
Cedric Hines connected on a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.7 seconds left to give the Fighting Owls a 66-63 victory over No. 3 CCBC Dundalk on Saturday.
With the score tied 63-63, the Fighting Owls called timeout with 12 seconds left after corralling an offensive rebound to set up one final shot. The play was designed for sophomore
Brandon Spain to drive to the basket, but when the defense collapsed on him, he kicked the ball out to an open Hines who buried the game-winner with under a second remaining.
Exzavier Cooper tied the score at 52-52 with 7:56 remaining after Harford trailed by seven with 9:57 left. The scored was tied four more times down the stretch, but Harford broke the tie with the lead every time, including Hines clutch triple.
Cooper led the Fighting Owls with 20 points and 14 caroms, rebounding from a foul-plagued Quarterfinal performance. Spain contributed 17 points, seven boards, seven assists and four steals while Hines added a dozen on 5-of-9 shooting, including two 3-pointers.
Sean Tarver tied the game at 63-63 with a layup with 58 seconds left. He led the Lions with 25 points.
Harford will have to wait for their Championship opponent as the other Semifinal contest between No. 1 Frederick and No. 4 Baltimore City was delayed until Sunday due to poor weather. The MD JUCO Championship Game will take place on Monday at 7 p.m.
Monday's Final will mark the second time in school history the Fighting Owls will play for the conference crown. No. 2 Hagerstown banked in a 30-foot buzzer-beater to beat No. 5 Harford at Harford, 79-76, in 2013.