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BRIARCLIFF, N.Y. - Bronxville was on the verge of stealing a first-round win over host Briarcliff in a Section 1 Class B Championship boys basketball game, Friday.
The 10th-seeded Broncos led by two points with just over two minutes remaining in the game when the seventh-seeded Bears went to their big man -- Brian Daniels. Daniels went up over two defenders to drop a fade away jumper, then fed Paul Henshaw for a huge hoop with 29 seconds remaining to seal a 45-41 victory.
Briarcliff goes to second-seeded Albertus Magnus for a quarterfinal-round game. Daniels led Briarcliff with 14 points and Tyriek Johnson finished with 10, including two free throws to give the Bears the lead for good.
Briarcliff failed to convert on the front end of a one-and-one in the final 10 seconds, however, Daniels kept the rebound alive with a tip and the Bears grabbed the loose ball each time.
Briarcliffs goal was to get the ball inside to Daniels in the fourth quarter, but Bronxville was making the entry pass difficult by double-teaming him.
Coach told us not to force anything, just to keep on working because Brian was going to get his touches, Johnson said. Coach wanted us to keep the ball moving and the gaps would come.
Daniels second basket of the fourth quarter, resulted in a three-point play, giving Briarcliff a 39-37 lead with 1:44 on the clock. Bronxvilles Jack Aherne answered right back with a pair of free throws 18 seconds later.
Johnson stepped to the line with 1:18 remaining and cashed in on two free throws for a 41-39 lead. Bronxville turned the ball over the ensuing possession, then Daniels drove the lane, pulled up for what Bronxville thought was a shot. Instead, Daniels elevated and fed Henshaw, who converted a layup.
We all have great chemistry because we have all been playing together since JV, Johnson said.
Johnson said the difference for Briarcliff was the ability to remain composed.
We were able to keep control of the ball, especially late, which is something we didnt do against Pleasantville, Johnson said. We turned the ball over three times, late, Had we won that game, we could have been the fourth seed.
Matt Tormey led Bronxville with 13 points and Dylan Murray added 12.
Bronxville 7 8 10 16 -- 41Briarcliff 11 13 6 15 -- 45
Bronxville (41) -- Ned Carpenter 2-0-5, Charlie Tarry 1-3-5, Dylan Murray 4-4-12, Luke Marrone 0-0-0, Matt Tormey 6-1-13, Jack Aherne 2-2-6, Kevin Reich 0-0-0. Totals: 15-10-41. Briarcliff (45) -- Jared Jones 3-0-8, Paul Henshaw 2-2-6, Brian Daniels 6-2-14, Tyriek Johnson 2-6-10, Spencer Seabrook 0-0-0, Jonathan Marrero 0-0-0, Ryan Huegel 4-0-8. Totals: 17-10-45. 3-point goals -- Bx: Carpenter; Bc: Jones.
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