Roadrunners Shock Navarro

By GARY STALLARD

AC Athletics

If Valentine's Day is all about surprising one's loved ones, the Angelina College Roadrunners pulled it off perfectly.

The 'Runners rallied in the final seconds to knock off Navarro College 63-62 Saturday at Shands Gymnasium in the most improbable fashion imaginable.

AC's Zacc Sells came up with a steal and a pair of three pointers before the buzzer to cap the AC comeback and give the Roadrunners their seventh win in conference play.

The game appeared over and in Navarro's favor, with the Bulldogs holding a 62-56 lead with just 30 seconds to play. AC's Ronald Durham hit a free throw to cut the deficit to five at 62-57, and all Navarro needed to do was run out the clock.

But while trying to avoid a foul, the Bulldogs threw an errant pass. Sells, falling out of bounds, came up with a steal and kickout to Payia, who passed back to Sells in the left corner. Sells drained a three-pointer with 17 seconds remaining.

On the ensuing Navarro inbounds, Payia knocked the ball away from a Bulldog, and Julius Crosby gathered it for the AC possession. Crosby passed off to Payia, who found Sells in the right corner, and Sells again ripped the nets with another trey with seven seconds left. Navarro's last-gasp shot attempt caromed off the rim, leaving the Roadrunners with the comeback win.

Sells finished with 12 points, including a 4-of-8 effort from three-point range. He also added four steals to his totals. Crosby added 12 points and three assists, while Payia added 11 points and two steals. Cheikh Diebakhate added 10 points in the win.

Shawn Mitchell led the Bulldogs with 16 points.

The Roadrunners (13-11, 7-9) play at Tyler Junior College on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. at Wagstaff Gymnasium.

The email address for AC's Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.