Nowell’s buzzer-beater lifts Gigantes over Osos

Jaylen Nowell and the Gigantes of Carolina celebrate their win over the Osos of Manatí, on Nowell’s last-second shot, at Carlos Miguel Mangual Coliseum in Canóvanas on Monday night.

By THE STAR STAFF

Jaylen Nowell hit a mid-range jumper with a second left on the clock to give the Gigantes of Carolina an 82-81 victory over the Osos of Manatí on Monday night at Carlos Miguel Mangual Coliseum in Canóvanas.

Trailing by seven points late in the fourth quarter, the Gigantes mounted an 8-0 run to earn their eighth home victory and improve to 13-10. Carolina is in third place in Conference A of the Superior National Basketball league, two games behind Caguas and Bayamón.

With the scoreboard reading 81-74 in favor of the visitors with 2:38 remaining in the game, Scottie James initiated the comeback with two free throws following a personal foul call on Manatí’s Jameer Nelson. Immediately thereafter, a dunk by George Conditt brought Carolina within three points, 81-78.

After a failed offensive possession by Manatí, Nowell drove to execute a final play to tie the game. A personal foul by Kristian Doolittle sent Nowell to the free-throw line, where he converted both chances to pull the Gigantes to within a single point, forcing Osos coach Iván Ríos to call an emergency timeout.

When play resumed, Manatí’s Tyquan Rolón was fouled by Conditt, sending him to the free-throw line, where he missed both attempts amid the deafening roar of the Carolina fans in the Canóvanas venue.

The Gigantes then called their final timeout, setting up Nowell’s game-winner.

It was the fourth consecutive defeat for the Osos (8-16), who remained in last place in Conference A.

Nowell led the Gigantes with 25 points, five assists and four rebounds, followed by Tremont Waters with 14 points and eight assists. Conditt grabbed 11 rebounds.

Cheik Diallo tallied 22 points and eight rebounds for the Osos, while Rolón added 19 points and eight assists.