McNair's buzzer-beater completes improbable Valparaiso comeback
MBB: Beacons erase 22-point deficit in last 6:51 to defeat Western Michigan
KALAMAZOO - Justus McNair etched his name into Valparaiso lore on Friday afternoon and he did it under the most improbable of circumstances.
The Joliet West product sank a half-court buzzer beater to cap off a wild comeback from 22 points down as the Beacons knocked off Western Michigan 76-73 at University Arena in Kalamazoo.
McNair ripped down a rebound following a 3-point miss from Donovan Williams with four seconds remaining and the freshman guard raced up the court and got the shot off just in time to beat the buzzer.
McNair, the first recruit of the Roger Powell Era, sprinted toward the Valparaiso bench after the shot went in and was mobbed by his teammates. McNair was tackled to the ground and stayed there for 30 seconds as teammate after teammate joined the pile.
“I kind of blacked out to be honest,” McNair said. “The game was on the line. I grabbed the rebound, it was already in my hands and I saw the clock was at four. I just said ‘why not me?’”
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