TROY, N.Y. – A potential game-winning three-pointer from Sage junior Ryan Harris (Hudson Falls, N.Y.) rimmed out with two seconds remaining, allowing Mount Saint Mary College to escape with an 80-76 victory over the Gators. The Blue Knights improved to 4-5 overall (3-1 Skyline), while the Gators tumbled to 2-6 overall (1-3 Skyline).

Despite leading by one (32-31) at the half, the Blue Knights trailed for a big portion of the second half. With just under five minutes to play in the game, freshman Lenny Ragaglia (Staten Island, N.Y.) drilled a three-pointer to lend the Mount a 68-66 advantage. Sage tied the game on the ensuing possession, but the Blue Knights would take control with a 7-1 run. Ragaglia kicked off the run with a layup and then capped it with another triple to make it 75-69 with 2:09 to play.

Sage wouldn't go away and scored the next five points to make it a one point game. Then, trailing by four (78-74), Harris swished a pair of free throws to cut the deficit in half. The Gators forced a turnover on the next trip, setting up the dramatic final possession. Harris missed back-to-back three-pointers, the second with just a few ticks left on the clock. Mount Saint Mary sophomore Carlos Valdez (Slate Hill, N.Y.) iced the game with two free throws, making the final score, 80-76.

Valdez carried the Blue Knights for most of the night as he exploded for 23 points, 20 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks. Entering the game as a 54-percent free throw shooter, Valdez connected on 11-of-13 attempts from the line. The sophomore was 6-of-12 from the floor.

Also pitching in for the Mount was junior Tim Morris (Greenwich, N.Y.). Morris totaled 14 points and 11 boards for his first double-double of the season. Junior Chuck Magos (Port Jervis, N.Y.) finished with 12 points and Ragaglia had 11, 8 of them during the crucial three-minute stretch of the second half.

Harris led the Gators with 24 points, nailing 5-of-11 attempts from beyond the arc. Freshman Mervin Springer (Copiague, N.Y.) contributed 16 points, while freshman Alex King (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) added in 13 points and 7 rebounds.

Putting an end to their woes at the free throw line (52.8% before tonight), the Blue Knights made 26-of-31 foul shots (83.9%). They shot 39.3% from the field.

Mount Saint Mary closes out their first semester schedule with a trip to Yeshiva on Monday, December 14. The game is slated for 8:00 p.m. in New York City.