Box Score DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Dec. 21) – Nichols College sophomore Ryan Sheehan scored a game-high 26 points including a three-pointer with four seconds left in regulation to force overtime, but the Bison fell to Stevenson University in the extra session, 81-74, Wednesday at the Daytona Beach Shootout at the Ocean Center.

Sheehan, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, was joined in double figures by junior guard Justin Kuntz who had 12, and first-year guard Jessy Michaud with 11 and seven rebounds. First year forward Joe Gallant had a team-high 11 rebounds – all defensive - for the Bison (2-6).

Stevenson (3-7) snapped a four-game skid with the win and was led by a double-double from forward Greg Collins who recorded 23 points and 12 rebounds. Stefon McCray added 12 points and 10 boards off the bench.

Nichols rallied from six-point deficits three times in the opening half to hold a two-point lead headed into halftime. With less than five minutes left in the first frame, Nick Brown checked into the game and immediately converted a layup dish from Mike Salis to tie it at 20-20. Nichols benefited from 6-for-6 free-throw shooting and a Sheehan layup to close out the half leading 28-20.

The Mustangs built up a seven-point lead in the early goings of the second half, but back-to-back three pointers from Marlon Bennett and Michaud quickly brought it back within one point at 45-44.

A Kuntz steal and layup with seven-and-a-half to play gave Nichols a one-point lead at 53-52, but Kuntz's attempt to make it a three-point play didn't come through. Stevenson grabbed momentum and went on a 9-2 spree to regain a seven-point advantage with 4:35 left in regulation.

But Sheehan caught fire, scoring six of the Bison's next eight that saw them regain the lead at 63-62 with 1:52 on the clock. A Stevenson layup and front-end free throw saw the Mustangs with a three-point advantage with four ticks left on the clock when Sheehan sank a three-pointer to send the game to overtime.

Stevenson never trailed in the extra session and hit eight of 12 free throws – including five of the final six - to keep the game in check.

The Mustangs held a 52-46 advantage in rebounds and scored 13 second-chance points to the Bison's three.

Nichols is idle until 2012 when they travel to Anna Maria on January 5th for a 7 p.m. non-conference game.


Box Score