SAN FRANCISCO — Trailing in overtime and desperate to get the ball back, Albany needed to find a Riordan player who'd whither at the free throw line.
It's still looking. The Crusaders were impeccable from the line when it mattered most in a 55—53 overtime victory.
The Riordan victory came in a NorCal regional Division III opening round game. No. 6 seed Riordan will now meet No. 3 seed Sierra/Manteca in the regional semifinals at 6 p.m. Saturday in Manteca.
After Albany's Marcus Simon made a bucket with 44 seconds left in OT to pull the Cougars with three, Albany had no choice but to start fouling. Riordan was equal to the test with Max Randall, Michael Johnson and Eddie Stansberry all draining pairs of free throws in the final minute.
Stansberry's cool pair of swishes with 8.3 seconds left put Riordan up by four and rendered a late Albany layup meaningless.
"Earlier in the game I just went 1 for 2 from the line but when I stepped up there in the final seconds I nailed the two shots and was able to help win the game for us," said Stansberry, who led all scorers with 24 points in addition to taking five rebounds.
"Shooting has been part of our woes all year including free throws," Riordan coach Rich Buckner said. "But Max and Eddie stepped up and Michael Johnson stepped up and went six for six there at the end."
Stansberry took the final shot of regulation with the score tied and missed. But his turnaround jumper with 3:27 left in overtime started a 6—0 Riordan run that had the Cougars (28—3) playing from behind the whole extra period.
"Always getting the first points of overtime is a big momentum boost for you," Buckner said. "I'd like to say we were off and running from there but Albany stayed with us. They're a well—coached team and well—drilled kids and we couldn't pull away from them."
Riordan bolted to an 8—2 early lead but Stansberry picked up two fouls by the mid—way point of the first quarter and came out of the game. Albany took advantage behind the scoring of Simon and the sharp passing of Josh Friedkin to lead 14—11 after one quarter.
Simon had nine points in the first quarter alone.
The game remained tight thereafter until a layup by Daniel Norman with 1:49 left in regulation gave Riordan a 40—37 lead. Unfazed, Albany rallied to tie on a free throw and a basket by Simon in the final 1:29.
Neither team shot well. Albany made just 18 of 56 from the field while Riordan netted 18 of 46. But the Crusaders made it to the free throw line more often and converted 19 of 25 there to 12 of 15 for Albany.
Despite the loss, Albany coach Bill Treseler was pleased with his team's effort and its fine season.
"I'm incredibly proud of those guys," Treseler said. "When the current seniors were sophomores they went 9 and 18. So it's been a pretty quick turnaround and all of the guys have done a terrific job."
Backing Simon for Albany was Friedkin with 15 points and three assists and Burke Coleman with 10 points and seven rebounds.
Randall had 13 points in support of Stansberry's 24 for Riordan (18—10) and Jason Smith had eight points and 13 rebounds.
