PITTSBURGH, PA –Daron Tabron hit a free throw with three seconds left to seal a 12-point second half comeback on Friday Night. La Roche (1-0) upended visiting Hiram College 79-78 in the second game of the TGIFriday's Tip-Off Tournament.
The Redhawks trailed 42-30 at intermission but went on an incredible run in the second half to get back in it. Daron Tabron converted a 3-point play to open the half and Neal McKown hit two 3-pointers midway through the second half to go up one. Hiram responded and took a four point advantage but La Roche kept it close and Daron Tabron sunk two free throws at the 2:19 mark.
With the score tied at 76-76 with 42 seconds left, David Jackson put back a missed 3-pointer and gave the Redhawks a two point lead. Hiram's Aaron Stefanov tied it with a pair from the charity stripe but Daron Tabron drew a foul and hit his second free throw to end it.
Lionel Perkins led La Roche with 19 points and went 5 for 8 from beyond the arc. David Jackson netted a double-double (17 points, 11 rebounds) and Daron Tabron chipped in 17 points (9 of 13 FT) and 3 steals. Neal McKown finished with 12 points in his first career start while Zaire Redding scored 9 points.
La Roche shot 48% on the game and 60% in the second half. They also forced 17 turnovers and outscored Hiram 23-17 in the paint.
Hiram's Stefanov scored 43 points in the defeat.
The men's basketball team will be in action tomorrow night in the final game of the TGIFriday's Tip-Off Tournament. They will host defending PAC Champion St. Vincent College.