A bid to the National Invitational Tournament
capped off the fantastic
season.
The Rams played Ihe
against Terrapins, losing
game
Maryland time, 67-65.
The Rams had
a one
a
of
in
University triple over
point lead with 13 seconds
left, and had gone inlo a stall. Sly Williams went to Ihe basket and got called for an offen sive foul, his fifth foul of the game. Larry Gibson made Ihe first of his one-and-one, trying Ihe game and sending il into overtime.
With
one second left in Ihe first overtime, and URI down by two, Phil Kydd was trying inbound the ball. Being hawked by
to
Gibson, he ran the length of the baseline, trying lo avoid him. Gibson followed, but did not see Ihal lohn Nelson was standing in his path. Gibson was called for a foul, and Nelson cooly sank both free throws, sending the game inlo the second overtime. The
play
Hahn had
was
one
once seen
Ihal assistant coach Bill coach Dean Smith of Norlh
Carolina use. During a timeout before the play, Hahn discussed it with Kraft, who agreed to give if a try. Ironically, Hahn had played college ball at Ihe University of Maryland, under coach Lefty Dreisell. The third overtime turned out to be the final five minutes of 1978-1979 Ram basketball season. The season was a fine display of the power and talent the Rams posessed.