Bucknell guard Chris Hass sank three free throws with five seconds remaining, turning a deficit into a lead, and the Bison went on to post a 58-55 win over the Maryland-Eastern Shore Hawks on Tuesday in a Progressive Legends Classic game at Toledo, Ohio.
With UMES leading 55-54, Hass was fouled on a 3-point shot, and he went 3-for-3 at the line to put Bucknell on top 56-55. After the Hawks turned the ball over, forward D.J. MacLeay made a layup with three seconds to go.
UMES had one last attempt to force overtime, but guard Devon Walker missed a 3-point attempt.
Hass scored a game-high 17 points, though he sank only five of 14 shots from the field. Guard J.C. Snow added 10 points for the Bison (2-4). MacLeay contributed four points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
Forward Iman Johnson scored 12 points to lead the Hawks (1-6). Guard Ishaq Pitts added 10 points, and forward Mike Myers contributed nine points and a team-leading seven rebounds.
Bucknell built a 32-17 halftime lead, but UMES scored the first seven points after the break to cut the deficit. A 6-0 run capped by a 3-pointer from guard Isaac Smith III with just over eight minutes to play evened the score at 39-39.
The Bison pulled out in front by six again, but a 10-0 surge gave UMES a 50-48 lead.
The Hawks were in front by four before Hass' 3-pointer sliced the margin to 54-53 with 33 seconds left. Myers made one of two free throws with 14 seconds remaining, setting the stage for Hass' foul-line heroics.