Published: February 20, 2008 11:44 am         

Rockville edges Garrett, 74-73

MCHENRY - Montgomery-Rockville's Donte Nicholas scored off a lob pass with three seconds left as the Knights took advantage of a Garrett turnover with five seconds remaining to defeat the Lakers in the opening round of the Maryland JUCO Tournament.

Nicholas, after scoring just three points in the first half, finished with 25, sparking a Rockville comeback that saw the Knights down by as many 10 points with five minutes remaining.

Shawn Greenfield, who scored 19 points for Garrett, brought the Lakers back to take a one-point lead, then stole an inbounds pass, drawing the foul and hitting two free throws to put his team ahead by three with 14 seconds left in the game. Rockville's Octavious Hinnant, who scored 11 points, came right back and hit an uncontested three-pointer from 25 feet to tie the score.

It was there when Garrett turned the ball over on the inbounds, and with five seconds left the Knights got the ball on their side, setting up the lob to Nicholas, who would win the game for Rockville.

Garrett inbounded the ball with three seconds left, but Greenfield's 23-footer hit off the front of the rim.

Garrett, which led 34-27 at the half, received 15 points from Terrance Taylor and nine from Vladimir Nikolov.

"Our sophomores didn't play exceptionally well," said Garrett head coach Dennis Gibson. "Greenfield, as he has done all season, really tried to step up and make a difference. Nikolov, who hasn't played much this season, really helped us get a nice lead in the first half. But we played in spurts and that cost us the game.

"We went up 10 and 11 points and wouldn't hold the lead. We got complacent, and 13-for-23 from the free-throw line doesn't get it done in the playoffs."

Gibson, however, was quick to credit the Knights. "Rockville did a great job. They stayed with their stuff. Nicholas had three points in the first half, all on free throws, but we just couldn't contain him in the second half. He was the difference in the game."

Garrett will play in the Region XX, Division I Tournament in two weekends at Hagerstown.