MEN'S BASKETBALL

DELHI, N.Y. - Suffolk County Community College's second straight NJCAA Division III championship looked like it was going to be a little too easy.

Suffolk watched a 21-point lead evaporate and overcame a last-second three-point basket in regulation to defeat Eastfield College 83-81 in overtime. It was the final championship to be held in SUNY-Delhi's Farrell Hall Gymnasium. Next season, the championship will shift to Delhi's new fieldhouse, which will seat around 2,000 people.

Jazz Henderson, who will play at Division I Long Beach State next season, hit a three-point basket with about five seconds remaining in the game to send the game into overtime with a 69-69 score.

The shot was discussed among the referees for over a minute about whether or not it was a three-point basket or a two pointer. After the discussion, it was agreed that it was a three pointer, which sent the game to overtime.

Suffolk opened overtime with eight straight points and held off a late rally from Eastfield. The Harvesters got off a last-second shot, but Norman Alexander's final shot didn't fall and Suffolk celebrated its 52nd consecutive win with another national championship.

"That was our third overtime win this year," said Suffolk coach Richard Wrase, whose team finished 34-0. "It doesn't get any better than this. It's unbelievable."

Tournament Most Valuable Player Maurice Manning took over in overtime, scoring five of the first eight points of the extra frame. Manning, who sat out a bulk of the first half in foul trouble, ended the game with 21 points.

"He's the smartest basketball player I've ever coached," Wrase said. "The charge tells a lot about him."

The way things looked early, this game had no chance of going into overtime. The Clippers led by as many as 21 points with 3 minutes, 35 seconds left in the opening half. Everything was going the way Suffolk could have possibly hoped.

Eastfield (25-11), playing in its third NJCAA championship game and first since a 79-75 victory over Jefferson CC in the 1997 national championship game, wouldn't go away. Eastfield also played in the national championship in 1992, losing 101-76 to Sullivan County CC.

The Harvesters rallied to cut the lead to 14 at the half and in the opening 10 minutes of the second half took control. David Hilliard capped off a 20-6 run with a basket with 10:09 remaining to tie the game at 49. Addae Houston had 11 points on the run.

Suffolk's free-throw shooting also didn't help the cause. The Clippers finished 10 of 21 from the free-throw line in the game. Eastfield took advantage. "Eastfield played great and they have nothing to be ashamed of," Wrase said. "Our foul shooting got them back in the game."

The Harvesters never led in the game, tying it up four times in the second half. Suffolk scored the first four points of the game and controlled the tempo throughout the first half. A 6-0 run early gave the Clippers a 10-1 lead with 16:11 to go in the opening half.

Eastfield outscored Suffolk 40-26 in the second half, increasing its defensive stand. Suffolk withstood Eastfield's pressure for its second championship in as many trips to the tournament Suffolk defeated College of DuPage, 61-56, in the 2003 championship game.

"A lot of people didn't think we'd be better than last year," Wrase said. "We were a small team, but I didn't have any problems this year."

Vernon Alonzo had 19 points for Suffolk and Alvin Dennis had 16. Marcele Street had 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Henderson had 28 points and Houston 24 for Eastfield, which was making its first trip to the national tournament since 1998.