ALBANY, N.Y. – Atlantis and Bryant & Stratton Albany played a back-and-forth contest in their rematch Thursday night, but the Atlanteans held on late to sweep the series 68-66.

B&S took the lead from the start on their home court for the first time in their two home games against AU. Atlantis (3-2) fought back and led by as many as five before settling for a 4-point advantage at halftime, 30-26.

B&S (1-2) retook the lead in the first minute of the second period and extended it to 33-30 before AU reclaimed the top spot on a Keith Shakes, Jr. layup at the 16:16 mark to make it 35-34. The visitors would lead by as many as 12 after two free throws by Stewart Clough with 9:08 remaining before the Bobcats would rally again.

B&S cut the lead to one, 67-66, with 17 seconds to play off a steal and subsequent layup by Devon Smith-Johnson. Tyric Francois of Atlantis was fouled on the inbounds play and made one of his two free throw attempts. The Bobcats had a chance to retake the lead with :09 remaining but missed both free throws to provide the final score. 

“Very proud of the way our guys fought to the very last second of the game,” said B&S coach Mike Shewmaker. “Our energy and commitment to playing hard for 40 minutes was there, but the reality is, you don’t win college basketball games shooting 17-30 from the FT line.”

Clough led the Atlanteans with 17 points. Smith-Johnson matched that for Bryant & Stratton.

Atlantis had defeated B&S Albany 73-56 on Tuesday and dropped a 91-79 decision to Bryant & Stratton Syracuse on Wednesday.

Image courtesy albany.bscbobcats.com