Box Score Purchase, NY --- The Brooklyn College Men's Basketball team captured the 2014 AJ Buchanan Classic, hosted by Manhattanville College, with a thrilling come-from-behind, 94-90, overtime victory against the Gators of The Sage Colleges on Saturday afternoon at Kennedy Gymnasium.

With the win, BC extends its winning streak to four straight to improve to 4-1 overall on the season. Sage falls to 2-1 overall on the year with the loss.

For his efforts, junior Jamel Gist was named the tournament MVP. Classmate Lorenzo Williams was named to the All-Tournament team.

Gist finished the game with 24 points, going 6-for-12 from the field and a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line. Williams led all scorers with a game-high 29 points (17 in the second half), to go along with 11 rebounds to record his first double-double of the year. It was the best game for the junior transfer in his young BC career.

Junior Egzon Gjonbalaj also collected a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, to go with six assists, two steals and a block.

The Gators had five players in double-figure scoring, including three starters, led by Melvin Ford, who finished with a double-double with 16 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Kai Deans and Jorrdan McCray added 15 and 14 points, respectively. Coming off the bench, Brett Ullman and Troy Nwanna chipped in with 12 and 11 points, each.

For the game, Brooklyn shot 47.7% (31-for-65) from the field, including 45.0% (9-for-20) from three. The Bulldogs also shot 69.7% (23-for-33) from the free throw line.

The Gators shot 39.1% (34-for-87) from the field, while struggling from beyond the arc shooting 26.9% (7-for-26). Sage shot 71.4% (15-for-21) from the charity stripe. The Gators out-rebounded the Bulldogs 51-42, which led to a 28-14 advantage in second chance points.

The first half saw the teams combine for four ties and three lead changes. Following a fast-break layup from senior Jai Kellman that tied the game at 36 all with 2:59 left before the halftime buzzer, Sage would close out the half on a 12-3 run to take a nine-point, 48-39, intermission break, their largest lead of the game.

The second half would see the Bulldogs quickly erase its halftime deficit, as Brooklyn jumped out to an 11-1 run to regain the lead at 50-49 at the 16:50 mark. The second period would see the teams trade baskets throughout the half, combining for seven lead changes and five ties.

After a free throw from Williams that gave the Bulldogs a seven-point lead, 74-67, their largest lead of the game, and put BC seemingly in control with 7:24 remaining in regulation, the Gators would be the ones to attempt a comeback, outscoring the Bulldogs, 13-6, the rest of the way to tie the game at 80 all and force overtime. Williams had a chance to end the game in regulation; however, his three-point attempt would fall off the mark.

The overtime period saw Brooklyn score the first four points to go ahead 84-80. Sage would answer scoring the next four to tie the game at 84 all; however, the Bulldogs would never relinquish their lead en route to their 94-90 comeback win. Gist and Williams combined to score 12 of BC's 14 points in the extra period to lead the Bulldogs to the tournament championship.

"I am so proud of our team the way we fought back from behind being down nine at halftime and the way we handled that adversity," said head coach Rich Micallef.

2014 MANHATTANVILLE COLLEGE AJ BUCHANAN CLASSIC
Friday, November 21st
Game 1: The Sage Colleges def. New York University, 68-65
Game 2: Brooklyn College def. Manhattanville College, 91-74
Saturday, November 22nd
Consolation Game: NYU def. Manhattanville, 89-63
Championship Game: Brooklyn def. Sage, 94-90 (Overtime)

All-Tournament Team:
Juan Camacho, Manhattanville
Evan Kupferberg, NYU
Jorrdan McCray, Sage
Travis Gill, Sage
Lorenzo Williams, Brooklyn
MVP: Jamel Gist, Brooklyn

Brooklyn returns to action on Tuesday, November 25th, as the Bulldogs will begin City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) play hosting the Beavers of The City College of New York (CCNY). BC's 2014-2015 home opener is scheduled for a 7:15 pm tip-off.  Doors open at 4:15 pm as the first 500 fans in attendance will receive a free t-shirt as part of the doubleheader with the BC Women playing CCNY in the first game at 5:00 pm. Free food and other give-a-ways will be provided sponsored in part by Brooklyn College Student Governments.