UPDATE: In a thrilling overtime finish, senior Chris Albano hit a last-second jumper to lead Susan Wagner to an 81-79 victory over Abraham Lincoln in Brooklyn on Thursday. This nail-biting win marks Wagner’s third consecutive triumph, improving their overall record to 9-2 and 4-2 in league play.
The game unfolded dramatically, with Albano scoring a career-high 34 points, including three three-pointers and a stellar 7-for-8 from the free-throw line. His clutch performance was crucial as the Falcons faced a fierce challenge in Lincoln’s notoriously tough home gym. “A classic game in a classic gym,” said head coach Danny Lanigan. He added, “Thank God we have Chris Albano.”
Wagner led 70-68 late in regulation, but Lincoln’s Marquise Lloyd tied the game with a baseline shot, forcing overtime. The Falcons and Railsplitters traded leads in the extra period, with Wagner narrowly holding a 79-77 advantage in the final moments. Lloyd then sank two free throws, setting the stage for Albano’s heroics.
With time running out, Albano expertly maneuvered past Lincoln’s defense, delivering a step-back jumper that swished through the net just before the buzzer sounded. Lincoln, out of timeouts, could not respond, sealing the win for the Falcons. “Just an absolute tour de force performance from start to finish,” praised Lanigan of Albano’s game-winning shot.
The Falcons initially struggled, trailing early in the first half. However, they rallied to lead 31-30 at halftime, despite falling behind 39-31 early in the second half. Albano’s relentless effort and key contributions from teammates Darin Humes-James (14 points), Charles Gambino (11 points), and Adem Djonbalic (11 points) helped secure the hard-fought win.
As for Lincoln, Jace Parris led their scoring with 23 points, while Lloyd contributed 16 points. Despite their loss, the Railsplitters showed grit, pushing the game to overtime and challenging Wagner throughout.
What’s Next: Wagner will look to build on this momentum as they prepare for their upcoming games, while Lincoln will aim to recover from this tough loss. Fans can expect more exciting matchups as both teams continue their seasons in the PSAL league.
Stay tuned for updates as the basketball season heats up!
