Imagine a basketball game so intense, it comes down to a fraction of a second, with one team's dreams dashed by the narrowest of margins. That's exactly what happened when the Stevens Institute of Technology men's basketball team faced Arcadia University in a heart-stopping 66-65 loss. This Middle Atlantic Conference Freedom matchup, held in Hoboken, N.J., was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, clutch performances, and controversial calls that left fans on the edge of their seats.
But here's where it gets controversial... Was Harmehar Chhabra's final shot truly late, or did the clock run out just a tad too soon? More on that later. First, let's dive into how this thrilling game unfolded.
Stevens (6-7, 0-2 MAC Freedom) found themselves in an early hole, trailing 11-4, before Chhabra and Brendan Coughlan chipped away at the deficit. Despite their efforts, Arcadia (8-5, 1-1 MAC Freedom) pulled ahead by 13 points with just over four minutes left in the first half. Chhabra's three-pointer with 22 seconds remaining gave the Ducks a glimmer of hope, sending them into halftime down 31-22. Arcadia's stifling defense held Stevens to a mere 33.3% shooting in the first half, while they connected on 46.4% of their attempts.
And this is the part most people miss... The second half was a masterclass in resilience. After Arcadia extended their lead to nine, Anthony Loscalzo and Chhabra sparked a furious comeback. Loscalzo's four-point play with 9:28 left made it a one-possession game, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. The lead changed hands multiple times, with Chhabra's and-one layup giving Stevens their first lead of the game, 62-61.
Jamison Lynam, who led Arcadia with 19 points, responded with a clutch jumper, but Chhabra tied the game at 63 from the free-throw line. With 58 seconds left, Lynam's layup put Arcadia up 66-63. Chhabra quickly answered with a layup, and Stevens forced a turnover, setting up a dramatic final possession.
Here’s where the debate heats up... After Leming's three-point attempt missed, Tommy Scholl grabbed the offensive rebound and called timeout with 0.3 seconds left. On the ensuing inbounds play, Chhabra's shot was ruled late, sealing Arcadia's one-point victory. Was it the right call? Fans and analysts are still divided.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Chhabra's 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including a perfect 2-for-2 from three-point range, were a career-high. He also led the team with seven rebounds.
- Scholl and Loscalzo each contributed 12 points, with Loscalzo hitting 3-of-5 from beyond the arc.
- Stevens' second-half shooting was remarkable, connecting on 61.5% of their shots, including 6-of-12 from deep.
- Kyle Maddison facilitated the offense with five assists and added two steals.
Now, let's stir the pot... Should college basketball games come down to such split-second decisions, or is there a better way to ensure fairness? And what does this loss mean for Stevens' season? Are they a team on the brink of breaking through, or will this close call haunt them?
UP NEXT: The Ducks continue their homestand on Wednesday, hosting King's College at 5:30 p.m. inside Canavan Arena. Will they bounce back, or will this heartbreaker linger? Only time will tell. Let us know your thoughts in the comments—did the refs get it right, or was Chhabra robbed of a buzzer-beater?
