Bryant beats Sacred Heart 91-85 in 2 OTs in NEC tournament

Published Mar. 4, 2015 9:57 p.m. ET

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SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) Shane McLaughlin made two free throws to break a tie in the second overtime and Joe O'Shea, who had a game-saving shot in regulation, added what would prove to be the winning points as the third-seeded Bulldogs defeated sixth-seeded Sacred Heart 91-85 on Wednesday night in the first round of the Northeast Conference tournament.

The victory, Bryant's first Division I postseason win, sends the Bulldogs (16-14) on the road to play at No. 2 seed Robert Morris for a Saturday semifinal.

Bryant trailed 63-60 after two free throws by the Pioneers' Steve Glowiak with 12 seconds left. Dyami Starks missed a 3-pointer but O'Shea threw up an off-balance 3-pointer to send the game into overtime.

Starks missed a jumper at the end of the first overtime which ended tied at 77-all.

O'Shea finished with 23 points, Starks 22 and McLaughlin 18.

Cane Broome had 23 points to lead Sacred Heart (15-17).