Keller Nets 1000th Career Point in Overtime Loss

NEWARK, N.J. (2/3/07) - Senior guard Bryan Keller (Piscataway, N.J.) scored a career-high 31 points, including the 1000th point of his career, however the Cougars dropped a 95-93 decision in overtime to host Rutgers-Newark on Saturday evening in New Jersey Athletic Conference action.

Just 45 seconds into overtime, Keller knocked down his sixth three pointer of the afternoon to give the Cougars (13-9, 4-6 NJAC) their final lead of the contest at 87-86 and also give the senior 1,001 career points. Needing 30 points entering the contest, Keller becomes the 28th player in program history to reach the milestone.

The Scarlet Raiders (15-6, 5-4 NJAC) answered Keller's trey with seven straight points to build a 93-87 lead with 34 seconds left in the game. Kean guard Lamar Wright (Galloway, N.J.) cut the deficit to three points with a three-pointer before a pair of Scarlet Raider free throws extended the lead to five points with eight seconds remaining. Junior guard Will Floyd (Eustis, Fla.) connected on a three-pointer as time expired to put the final margin at 95-93.

Kean rallied from a 14-point deficit (72-58) with 10:04 left in regulation, as the Cougars clawed their way back with a 19-3 run to take a two-point led at 77-75 on a three-pointer by Keller with just under five minutes left. Keller led the charge with seven points, as five different Cougars scored in the run.

The final five minutes featured six lead changes and two ties, as Keller gave the Cougars a two-point lead on a free throw before the Scarlet Raiders knotted the score at 84-84 on a layup by Deshawn Singleton with just 22 seconds left.

Keller hit 12-of-18 shots from the field, including 6-of-9 from downtown, and he added four steals in 41 minutes of action. Floyd scored a career-high 17 points, while Wright tallied 11 points and six rebounds off the bench. Senior forward Brett Wyatt (Elizabeth, N.J.) had 10 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists in just 22 minutes before fouling out.

The Cougars have a week off before returning to action on Saturday, February 10, when they travel to Pomona, N.J., in a key NJAC South Division match-up. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.