It was almost four years coming, but Spring Arbor University senior basketball player Rob Boss saved it for the right moment. The 6'7" Brighton, Michigan native drained his first career three point shot as the buzzer sounded and time expired, sending the white clad Spring Arbor University student section into a frenzy and pushing the Cougars past Grace College 69-68 into the semi-final round of the MCC post season tournament.
The first half was a back and forth affair that saw several lead changes, with neither team building more than a six point advantage in the opening stanza. In spite of lukewarm shooting, Spring Arbor kept themselves within striking distance throughout and trailed by one point heading into the intermission at 28-29.
The second half saw SAU jump out to a quick two point lead on a DJ Baisden three pointer and the two teams battled back and forth for the next ten minutes, forging seven ties and five lead changes over that time span. But it was Grace who was able to push the pace at that point, ripping off a 14-4 run over the next four minutes of play to lead 62-52 at the six minute mark.
Showing why they are ranked #21 in the NAIA, the Cougars dug deep and responded with a 14-4 run of their own to close out the game.
Down five points with a minute left, junior Willie Pickvet split a pair of free throws and after the Cougars forced a Lancer turnover fellow junior DJ Baisden was fouled driving the lane and calmly sank both his free throws to trim the deficit to two points.
Spring Arbor forced a ten second violation on the ensuing Grace possession but after running an offensive set freshman Chris Bellamy's three pointer bounded off the front the rim and Grace secured the rebound with 4.4 seconds remaining. Forced to foul, Baisden grabbed Grace's Elliot Smith sending both teams to the other end of the floor for two Grace free throws. Smith missed the first, and after a Grace timeout missed the second as well, setting up Boss's heroics.
Boss snagged the rebound in the middle of the Grace lane and rushed up the middle of the floor. With the Grace defenders sprinting back to take away the lane, Boss surprised everyone by pulling up short and launching a leaning effort from about five feet behind the three point arc. The shot swished home just as the buzzer sounded, leaving the Grace players stunned and sending the SAU students rushing out onto the floor to mob Boss.
"I waited three years, thirty one games and 36 minutes to hit a three," commented Boss after the game through a grin. "It's an awesome way to finish my senior year at home and I am sure I will never forget it."
"What a finish," agreed SAU head coach Ryan Cottingham. "Grace shot very well and I am proud of our guys for staying the course and finding a way to get the win. Of course Rob's shot was very special and I am pleased he could make that memory in his senior year."
Boss finished with 17 points to lead Spring Arbor while Baisden chipped in with 15. Senior Jared List finshed with 13.
Spring Arbor will be back in action on Saturday when they travel to Mishawaka, Indiana to take on the #2 seeded Bethel College Pilots who defeated Marian University in their quarterfinal game. The game is scheduled to tip off at 3:00 p.m.
