Cardinals Stun Montgomery in Wild Overtime Contest

In a wild overtime contest, CCBC Catonsville's men's basketball team outlasted Montgomery College 77-74.

Trailing by seven with four minutes to play, the Cardinals came from behind to tie Montgomery College, forcing the contest into overtime. Behind a 20-point day from sophomore guard Jo-Nathan Kelly (Strawberry Mansion), the Cardinals retook the lead in overtime and never looked back.

Catonsville dominated the first half, pulling out to a lead as large as eleven points. Leading 35-28 entering the half, the Cardinals had out-rebounded the Raptors 20-15 and were perfect from the free-throw line.

The second half would see a furious comeback by the Raptors, and with four minutes to play, Montgomery had taken a seven-point lead. Catonsville began their comeback with a free throw by sophomore guard Jamal Lee (Cristo Jesuit) and a layup by Kelly, cutting the deficit to four. Following a Raptor dunk, Lee sank a pair of free throws to make it a four-point game. With a minute to play, freshman guard Micah Morgan (West Nottingham) sank a jumper to cut the deficit to two.

Catonsville fouled on the next possession, and when Montgomery missed the free throws, Morgan had a chance to tie the game with a jumper. His shot missed, only for sophomore forward Albright Obode (Plainfield) to scoop up the rebound and sink the game-tying shot. With 32 seconds left, the Cardinals had tied it up.

Ten seconds into overtime, Kelly scored to put the Cardinals ahead. Montgomery responded with a pair of shots, but sophomore guard Murray Grant (Obra D. Tomkins) hit a pair of free throws to give the lead back to the Cardinals. Obode was next to add his free throws, giving the Cardinals a 75-74 lead with two minutes to play. Catonsville would withstand a flurry of shot attempts by the Raptors in the final minutes, clinching their tenth win of the season when Kelly hit one final shot.

Kelly finished with 20 points, leading all Cardinal players. Grant added 18 points, while Lee had 13 points and nine rebounds. Obode finished with a double-double, adding ten points and ten rebounds.

Next up for the Cardinals is their first home game of the semester against Anne Arundel on January 12.