STEVE LUSE , Times-News, Sunday March 9, 1997

BURLINGTON, Vt.--The Allegany College Trojans had their quest to return to Kansas end in the Vermont snow country as they lost a heartstopper in overtime to unbeaten Champlain College 84-81, in the NJCAA District 3 Northeast Shootout Sunday in Champlain.

The Trojans, who entered the game ranked No. 1 in the nation and with a school-record 29-game winning streak conclude the year with a 32-2 record.

Champlain was ranked No. 4 in the final NJCAA poll but hasn't lost at home in two seasons. The Beavers weren't about to let down a packed house of about 2,000 fans and they will be going to Kansas for the national tournament with a 30-0 record.

"It's a shame that only one of these teams is going to Kansas because I'm sure that either one would represent our region well," said Champlain coach Bob Tipson, who will be taking his team to the national tournament for the fourth time since 1991. "It was like two giants going after each other and every possession was crucial and every play was important"

Many of the fans were saying that it may have been the best game ever played at Champlain. "I have never seen a better game and I have been around a long time," said Tipson, who has been coaching Champlain for 25 years. "Both teams had some slumps, but they played so hard. I said before the tournament that you have to be a little lucky and we may have been a little lucky today. Terrell Baker made a couple of crucial shots."

"It was a tough situation to have to play a team on its home floor for a spot in the national tournament and Champlain has a very good team," said Allegany coach Bob Kirk. "It was a difficult game for either team to lose and it's unfortunate No. 1 and No. 4 had to play each other to get a chance to go to Kansas."

Baker, a 6-7 All-American forward, showed why he is one of the most recruited junior college players in the country as he scored 32 points and came up with clutch three-pointers. Kojo Mensah-Bonsu got the Beavers off to a strong start and finished with 20 points, including three key free throws in the overtime. Vincent Mitchell hit what proved to be the winning bucket and had 10 points while O'Neil Kamaka scored 16 points. Mike Renfro had 25 points in Saturday's 89-71 victory over Monroe and had another outstanding game on Sunday as he led the Trojans with 25 points. The 6-3 guard from Indianapolis kept the Trojans alive when he hit a three-pointer from 25 feet out with three seconds left in regulation. He also had eight assists and seven rebounds. Michael Horton had 16 points and eight assists, while Joel Salvi came off the bench to contribute 12 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Allegany appeared to have taken control of the game with some outstanding defense in the second half and was leading 59-47 on a driving bank shot by Renfro with 5:25 left in regulation. But Kamaka responded with a three-pointer and Baker hit a short jumper

Another three-pointer by Kamaka and a for shot by Mensah-Bonsu had the Beavers back to within two points at 65-63 with just under three minutes remaining in regulation. Then Mitchell tied the game at 65 with a layup a the 1:57 mark.

Renfro put Allegany back on top with another bank shot but the Trojans twice turned the ball over when they could have added to the lead. With 38 seconds left, Baker hit a three-pointer from the side to put Champlain up 6867. Then he stole the inbounds pass. Kamaka was then fouled and converted both attempts with 22 seconds left to set the stage for Renfro's tying three-pointer.

The teams traded buckets at the start of the overtime and Allegany led 78-75 on an Alley Oop dunk by Horton with 2:35 remaining A foul shot by Recus Nix made it 79-75 at the 2:07 mark. But then Mensah-Bonsu converted two foul shots and a three-pointer by Baker had the Beavers on top 80-79 with 55 seconds left. A layup by Quincy Gause gave Allegany an 81-80 lead with 35 clicks still on the clock, but l0 seconds later Mitchell made a short jumper in the lane for the Beavers. Horton attempted the game-winner for the Trojans with a drive to the basket, but the shot went off the rim and into Baker's hands with 2.6 seconds left. The All-American was fouled and then converted both foul shots to end the scoring.

Along with crucial mistakes the Trojans lost the game at the free-throw line making only five of 19 attempts while Champlain converted 18 of 22. "Making only five of 19 foul shots certainly didn't help," said Kirk. We made some crucial mistakes at the end of the game. We had opportunities to win but we just didn't take advantage of them."