Okigweh

In fact, the Rams would lead the 66-63 overtime win for only three minutes and two seconds of last Saturday’s PSAC game.

Seton Hill appeared to be quite at home in the Butcher Center, when it provided the game with a quick-paced, quick shot tempo that had it on top early with its consistent three-point accuracy.

The Griffins were virtually error-free, as they either scored on long-range shots or layups from their half court set offense.

Shepherd stayed within range of the Griffin lead, by making all 12 of its free throws in the first half.

Traore

What had been a 29-17 lead had been pared to 35-28 by halftime.

Even though it was just six-for-24 from the field in that struggle of a half, Shepherd had shown it was not at all overshadowed by the visitors.

Another crawling beginning to the second half had the Rams falling behind, 44-31, before they could score six straight points to draw within 47-41.

Both teams had suffered some turnovers even when in their half-court sets.

But Shepherd was finding more offensive rebounds. And it had noticeably slowed the Griffins’ offense.

Wordlaw

Seton Hill was getting little or nothing from its point guards, while the Rams began making three-pointers and getting richer with their half court scoring.

As Seton Hill stagnated, Shepherd prospered — even getting dunks from Flavor Okigweh, after assist passes from Marcus Banks.

What momentum there was had changed uniforms and it was Shepherd on the move.

The Rams grabbed a 50-49 lead, as Banks got inside the lane for his shots. Elwyne Wordlaw, whose first two shots in the game were air balls, made a “three” and the Griffins were whistled for two illegal screens. A minute later it was 59-59 as the clock dwindled away. Shepherd was lively as it claimed offensive rebounds, when it actually began to miss free throws.

Seton Hill nearly pulled off a breathtaking finish in regulation, but a last fraction of a second out-of-bounds play was ruled to have come too late and the game went into overtime.

Seton Hill scored first, but yielded one of the game’s few fast break scores and then shot an airball from deep in a corner.

Another missed Shepherd free throw was rebounded by the Rams and they scored, taking a short lead.

Daouda Traore’s layup were Shepherd’s final points in what had become a genuine comeback conference team victory.

The Rams’ record rose to 4-4 and chased four straight losses to the sidelines.

Shepherd had literally taken the game back through the second half and then maintained its improved play in the overtime to overcome a forlorn beginning and overhaul the then-shocked Griffins.