Beacon forward Geoff Ponitz had a good look at a game tying three pointer with less than ten seconds left, but the ball clanked off the backside of the rim, thereby giving Mount Ida the victory in the consolation of the 17th Harbor Invitational.

Each team wanted to come away with a victory after both lost the previous night, UMB to Framingham State and Mount Ida to Colby. The intensity was immediately displayed by Beacon freshman center Jurvon Wallace, who was diving for loose balls and aggressively going after every rebound opportunity, leading the Beacons to a 6-0 lead.

After a timeout, Mustang guard Demetrius Cobb (20 points) led Mount Ida on a 7-0 run. Yet, freshman Obi Amaefule (11 points) answered the Mustangs’ challenge with some fast break baskets, including two emphatic dunks, helping UMB regain the lead 24-21.

Both teams played aggressive defense and the Beacons were frequently called for fouls, allowing Mount Ida to get in the double bonus. As aggressive as the Beacons were on defense, they displayed remarkable patience on offense, especially freshman Billy Allen in the paint and Ponitz on the perimeter. Beacon sophomore Lester Robinson capped off the half with jumper, giving UMB a 38-37 lead.

The second half began by Mount Ida and UMass trading baskets. After Beacon captain Jake Luhn drained two free throws, the Beacon defense softened and Mount Ida converted three consecutive offensive chances with ease.

With the Mustangs holding a 57-52 lead, the Beacons roared back, led by freshman guard Roger Perry and Amaefule. Perry had a lay up and a trey and Amaefule provided the defense with a block and by drawing a charge that headed a 9-0 Beacon run. The overall defense of the Beacons was better and the players were not drawing silly fouls.

Beacon freshmen Billy Allen and Olavo Gomes made key baskets to give UMB a 68-64 lead. That’s when Cobb took charge, scoring a basket and dishing the ball to open teammates for scores and a Mount Ida 70-68 lead. Beacon forward Paul Kemp made two clutch free throws to tie the game with two minutes left.

With Mount Ida holding a 75-72 lead, the Beacons inbounded the ball and got the ball to an open Ponitz, who was just to the left from the top of the key. After Ponitz’s missed a shot. Mustang Adam Andrews grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He hit one of two free throws for the final score.