Published: March 02, 2008 12:18 am      

Flash fall in overtime

TEANECK, N.J. — Fairleigh Dickinson’s Manny Ubilla’s 3-pointer at the buzzer handed a heartbreaking 72-70 overtime loss to the St. Francis men’s basketball team on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Flash had the lead, 70-69, after freshman Sorena Orandi pulled up for a 10-foot jumper with 5.1 seconds remaining in overtime. Knights coach Tom Green called a timeout with 2.5 seconds remaining to set up a play.

It went to Ubilla, who somehow fell to the floor and maintained his dribble. He then had enough time to get up and pull up for a 3-pointer for the game-winner.

The loss was a crushing blow to St. Francis’ season as it eliminated the Red Flash from the postseason. A win would have clinched the eighth seed in the upcoming Northeast Conference Tournament. Instead, SFU finishes 6-23 overall and 4-14 in the league.

Orandi, whose play improved down the stretch, went for a career-best 24 points and six rebounds two nights after going for career highs in both categories against Monmouth.

Redshirt junior Bassirou Dieng tallied 14 points, nine rebounds and a block, and junior Chris Berry posted his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 rebounds.