As the final shot by Vermont hung all over the rim before finally falling away, I’m not sure whether joy or relief was more prevalent for the CSU Vikings. Their opening round NIT game featured what seemed like a million lead changes. With just over two minutes remaining in the game, the Vikings trailed by two.
In the end, they win by three, but not before Vermont’s Brendan Bald made a circus three between two CSU defenders to bring the Catamounts within one 60-61. Norris Cole received the inbound pass, got fouled, and nailed his 26th and 27th points to put the Vikes up by three again. It wasn’t over though. Matt Glass had a chance to tie and his three point shot hung on that rim for what seemed like an hour.
I am not sure overtime would have really bothered CSU superstar Norris Cole anyway. The dude with the 1980′s Bobby Brown haircut doesn’t seem to get phased by anything at all. He looked completely relaxed as he hit the final two free throws with a tenuous one point lead. He seemed fearless as he drove down the lane and scored a tricky layup to finally give CSU the lead 57-55. If you ever thought a player had “it,” you would have to think it is Norris Cole.
Of course, his heroics might not have been so necessary if the Vikings, specifically Aaron Pogue, could make free throws. The team shot just under 60% from the line for the game, and Pogue made just 5 out of his 15 attempts. You never want to point at one guy – especially in the college game – but he had an especially bad one as he normally shoots just over 50% from the line.
No matter though. The team picked him up and the Vikings got the win. Next up, they get the College of Charleston who beat Dayton.