McMillan lifts Post with late layup

It was a game of second chances for LIU-Post men’s basketball on Saturday, as the host Pioneers downed Dowling College, 64-62, on Devon McMillan’s game-winning layup.

McMillan’s layin came after Dillon Burns missed a jumper and Michael Phillip hauled in the offensive rebound, giving the Pioneers (7-2, 3-0 ECC) a fresh shot clock. McMillan (nine points) converted with two seconds remaining in the game, and Tristan Brown missed what would have been the game-winning three for Dowling with a second left.

This put the exclamation point on a game characterized by Post’s resiliency. The Pioneers trailed 12-3 in the first half before an 18-2 run capped by a Greg Dotson layup put them ahead, 21-14.

The Golden Lions (5-4, 1-1) would close the gap to four points at 33-29 at halftime, but Post widened its lead to a game-high nine points at 47-38 in the second half.

A pair of Evan Maxwell free throws tied the game at 52 with 6:28 remaining, and Dowling and Post then traded scores until McMillan’s game-winner.

Many of Post’s scoring opportunities came on second chances, as the Pioneers totaled 20 offensive rebounds. Overall, they outrebounded the Golden Lions, 64-41. Jared Hall led Post with 14 points. Chris Millender scored 25 for Dowling.

The Pioneers have won three straight and five of six.