Rogers corralled a Beverly miss, dribbled down court and buried a 3pt field goal to cut the lead to three with under a minute to play.  Then after a Beverly turnover, Rogers buried another 3pt field goal to knot the game at 64-64 with fifty seconds left. Senior captain Isaac Bethea followed with another basket to briefly give the Tornadoes the lead at 66-64 before Beverly tied the scored with 30 seconds left. After a Malden turnover, Beverly made one of two free throws to hold a slim one point edge.  Malden failed to convert on their next possession and fouled the Panthers with 8 seconds to play.  After two consecutive misses at the line, senior guard Rakeem Langston was fouled driving to the basket with just 2 seconds left.  The team's leading scorer calmly swished both free throws to give the Tornadoes a one point edge.  Beverly then drew up a perfect play but failed to convert an open three point field goal and Malden held on for the 68-67 victory.

 

"Well, it certainly wasn't a pretty win but we'll take it." a relieved Malden head coach Don Nally said after the win.  "We struggled in the second half but we executed down the stretch and our guards led us to the win."

 

Malden looked to have the game in hand at the half, leading 39-29 at the break.  The Tornadoes used an effective press to create turnovers and easy baskets.  The second half,  however, belonged to the Panthers until Malden's late game heroics.  Rogers led all scorers with 19 points include 5 three point field goals.  Rogers now has 10 three point baskets in his last two games.  Langston chipped in with 18 points including the decisive free throws.  Malden returns to action this Monday for a holiday tilt with Boston English at the Finn Gym.  Game time is set for 7pm.