Berntsen's Clutch Baskets Key Overtime Win

With 35 seconds left in regulation and down by three points to Morristown, the Chatham Cougars needed a crucial basket. And sophomore Jonathan Bernsten delivered.

Berntsen hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 41, and that was just the beginning of his late game heroics, which helped the team pull out a  50-47 win. The sixth seeded Cougars once again came back to win in over-time against the 11th seeded Colts at home in front of a packed gymnasium Saturday evening.

"I was open, and I had been hitting my shots all night," Berntsen said. "It really felt good when it went in."

The Colts struck first in overtime when junior Shawn Bell hit an impressive layup around several defenders. Berntsen answered with a three-pointer, and Bell fought back with another gritty field goal.

But Berntsen delivered once again with a pump-fake and drive to the basket, putting Chatham up 48-46 with seconds left on the clock. He later went on to seal the game with a pair of free throws.

"We really stepped up in a crucial situation," said Berntsen. "We really stepped it up and played good defense at the end."

The Colonials started the game strong with quality perimeter shots and solid defense. Junior James Pisciotto had a four-point play in the second quarter, which helped Morristown take a 20-15 lead at the half.

"I think it was clear that it was an outstanding performance by both teams," said Morristown head coach Ricky Osborne. "It was just an awesome game.  It's a shame one of the teams had to lose tonight, because I thought both teams fought very hard."

With 4:50 left in the third quarter, Berntsen tied the game with a swish from three-point territory. Yet Morristown senior Derek Newman fought back with eight points in the quarter, keeping his team up by five.

"I believe we played good," said Bell, "Things just didn't go our way. We played every second of that game with our hearts.

Despite missing several foul shots, Chatham outscored Morristown 15-10 in the fourth quarter. Fifteen of Berntsen's 23 points were scored in the fourth quarter and overtime. Senior captain Chris Conroy contributed eight points, eight rebounds and a block.

"They were tremendous," said Chatham Head Coach Todd Ervin. "We had to play a good game to beat them. We did just about everything well, except for shooting free throws."

On the other side of the ball, Bell led the Colonials with 14 points, while Newman tallied 12 points and14 rebounds. Pisciotto finished with 12 points and three steals.

"It came down to the last second and as I told my kids, we left it all on the floor," Osborne said. "They worked as hard as they possibly could. I walk out of here sad of the loss but very proud of how hard our team fought tonight."

The next tournament game for Chatham will take place in Randolph on Saturday with the time and opponent still not determined.

"We hope [Saturday's win is] contagious and carries over into the next round," Ervin said.