Pink the Pavilion 2017, on Tuesday evening, at Oakland Catholic High School, was one for the Carlow history books.
The men’s basketball team knocked off River States Conference foe and crosstown rival Point Park in stunning fashion for the first time in the three-year history of the program.
Miles Sunder (JR/Jeannette, Pa.) scored the game-winner and Charlie Scharbo (JR/Jefferson Hills, Pa.) sealed the victory with a steal at the buzzer, as the Celtics defeated the Pioneers, 75-74, in overtime.
Scharbo became the first 1,000-point scorer in the history of the program when he sank a hard-fought layup late in the second half. He posted his eighth double double of the season, pouring in a career-high 32 points and grabbing a career-high 20 rebounds. He also added four steals, which tied his career-high, and three blocks.
PJ McLaughlin (SR/Irwin, Pa.), who hit a jump shot to tie the game at 66 with 1:14 left in regulation, finished the game with 18 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
After McLaughlin’s bucket, the Pioneers (8-16/5-9) and the Celtics (3-22/2-11) each missed a pair of foul shots and the game remained tied until Point Park called a timeout with 34.2 seconds remaining.
Zach Bryan (JR/Irwin, Pa.) blocked the Pioneers’ next shot attempt and Jacob St. George (SO*/Monaca, Pa.) grabbed the defensive rebound. The Celtics took off on a fast break and St. George hit a layup to give Carlow a 68-66 lead with five seconds left.
However, the Pioneers rushed back down the court and Jaylen Mann’s put-back at the buzzer sent the game into overtime.
The teams traded the lead twice in overtime, with neither team leading by more than two points, but St. George hit a huge 3-point shot to put Carlow up 73-72. TJ Bates hit two free throws with 2:02 remaining to give the Pioneers a 74-73 advantage. Both teams were scoreless for the next 1:40.
Carlow head coach Tim Keefer called a timeout with 22 seconds remaining in overtime, and the Celtics got set up for a half-court possession. A jumper with three seconds remaining bounced out, but Sunder crashed the boards and tipped the rebound in. The Pioneers heaved a last-second pass down the court, but Scharbo intercepted it and the Celtics celebrated.
St. George finished with 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Bryan added eight assists and six rebounds.
Mann paced Point Park with a double double, posting 22 points and 19 rebounds. Gavin Rajahpillay had 26 points and six assists for the Pioneers. Rushan Roberts contributed 12 points and Asim Pleas had eight rebounds.
Proceeds from the game were donated to the Glock Foundation, founded by Carlow alumna and breast cancer survivor Carol Glock ’75. The mission of the organization is to raise funds to support breast cancer research, clinical trials, education and patient care within the Pittsburgh community.
The Celtics play at Clarion University at 7 p.m. tomorrow.