Ohmer's Buzzer-Beater caps comeback for the ages

On a night where Georgetown honored legendary teams from the past, the current rendition created a new memory for the ages. Georgetown outscored Cumberland 32-6 over the final 6 minutes to pull off a shocking 80-77 win capped by a buzzer-beating 3-pointer from Jake Ohmer.

Until the final minute, Georgetown only led at 3-2. From that point, Cumberland dominated much of the game, hitting timely shot after timely shot to keep Georgetown at bay. The 3-point shot proved particularly bountiful for the Phoenix as they shot 10-14 from 3 on the day. Cumberland also did not commit a single turnover until the Georgetown 2nd half comeback. Georgetown shot just 39% in the 1st half with 7 turnovers, allowing Cumberland to build a halftime lead of 41-27.

In the 2nd half, the Phoenix kept its high level of play going. Georgetown would get within 43-33 before CU went on a 10-4 run to push the lead to 16 and force Chris Briggs into a timeout with just over 13 minutes remaining. With a 55-42 lead with under 12 minutes to go, Cumberland kept the pressure on by knocking down 3s on 4 straight possessions. With 6:57 to go, Cumberland's Nassir Coleman hit a jump shot to put the Phoenix ahead, 71-48.

The comeback began.

Georgetown went on an 11-0 run to get within 71-59 with just over 3 minutes left. CU's Tyler Byrd banked in a 3 with the shot clock expiring to give the Phoenix a 74-59 lead with 3:00 to go. Byrd finished with a game-high 30 points. Jake Ohmer responded with a quick 3 and after a missed CU layup, Ohmer was fouled on another 3-point shot. The senior sank all 3 to bring the Tigers within 9 with 2:06 to go. CU hit 2 free throws to push the lead back to 11, but Ohmer would not be denied. Another 3 got the Tigers within 76-68 with 1:42 to go. He would steal the ball on the next CU inbound and lay it in to make it a 76-70 game with 1:23 to go. 

The Tigers turned up the full-court press. Tae Dozier came away with a steal, score, and foul just 11 seconds later. After the freshman calmly hit the free throw, the Tigers were within 3. Cumberland would be called for an offensive foul on its next possession, setting the Tigers up for the possible tie with just over 30 seconds left. The ball went back into Jake Ohmer's hands and the senior attacked the basket and drew a foul with 29 seconds left. Both free throws were good and the Tigers were within 1 at 76-75.

On the ensuing CU inbound, the Phoenix were called for an offensive foul before the ball was played in, giving the Tigers the ball back in the frontcourt with a shot at the lead. Ohmer held the ball early but when a driving lane was shut off, he dumped it in low to Rashad Bishop, who delivered a right-handed hook from 10 feet to put the Tigers ahead, 77-76, with 17 seconds left. Cumberland would call for time in the frontcourt with 8 seconds left. Out of a 2nd Phoenix timeout, the ball found its way to Ty'Reek Johnson, who was fouled in the lane by Tommy Thomas with 7 seconds left. Johnson, a 57% foul shooter missed the first, but connected on the second to tie the game at 77.

Jake Ohmer took the ball up right side, spun away, from one defender, split a 2nd, and launched a 3 that fell through the net as Ohmer fell to the floor. Time expired as the ball went through and the Tigers pulled off the shocking comeback win. Ohmer scored 18 points over the final 6:57 to finish with a team-high 23 points. During that stretch, the Tigers defense also forced 7 CU turnovers and converted them into 18 points.

Rashad Bishop carried the Tigers inside as Georgetown played without Kyran Jones on this day. Bishop finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Tae Dozier ended with 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Cam Brooks-Harris added 12 points, while Drew LaMont tallied 6 and Tommy Thomas scored 2.

With the win and Freed-Hardeman's win over Thomas More, Georgetown now holds a 2-game lead in the Mid-South Conference with just 2 games to play. The Tigers will look to claim the outright MSC title on Thursday at Campbellsville.