Georgie Pacheco-Ortiz hadn't even attempted a three-point shot before overtime of Monday's game, so naturally he hit both of his long range attempts in the extra session, including the game-winner at the buzzer in Liberty's 77-74 victory.
The way the second half unfolded, it was inevitable that the visitors would win it on a three. During an 11-minute stretch in the second, Liberty hit 8-of-9 from behind the arc (Lovell Cabbil hit four of his five and Ryan Kemrite three of his five during the stretch), turning a 16-point deficit into a five-point lead with 2:41 to go.
The hosts had no answer for the long-range shot and unfortunately it ended up being the difference.
Georgia State rallied thanks to D'Marcus Simonds, who had six of his career-high 35 points down the stretch of regulation, including a lay-in with 37 seconds left that were the last points of regulation & tied the game at 68-68.
Simonds hit that career high on a 13-for-24 shooting night, but turned the ball over eight times and I thought was bailed out by some shaky officiating on what could've been a couple more turnovers.
Overtime saw Simonds hit a huge three to give GSU a 74-71 lead with just over two minutes to play. But GSU failed to score again and Ortiz nailed a tying 3-pointer with 45 seconds left, and on the final possession, stopped his dribble and leaned in and knocked down Liberty's 14th trey (on 26 attempts) to send his team home to Lynchburg with a win.
21 assists on 27 made baskets by Liberty, which came into the night 216th nationally in three-point field goal percentage.
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