Tribe guards Marcus Thornton and Daniel Dixon
By Cardell Dudley
In a battle for the ages that saw CAA records go down, William & Mary behind a clutch 3-pointer from guard Daniel Dixon, knocked off Hofstra 92-91 to advance to the CAA Championship game. Tribe star Marcus Thornton would match his career high 37 points - a CAA Tournament record - and sophomore guard Omar Prewitt would add a much needed career high with 33 points becoming the first teammates in CAA Tournament history to score 30 plus in a game. The Tribe trailed late in regulation before the Thornton, Prewitt combo brought them back to force overtime. William & Mary would come out in the first overtime on fire as they scored the first seven points. Hofstra would not go away, as they forced the Tribe into multiple turnovers hitting shots from all over to take a 83-80 lead. Thornton would come to the rescue, hitting a clutch 3 with 42 seconds left to tie it. Hofstra forward Rokas Gustys with a chance to win it, would miss two free throws assuring a second overtime after a prayer three from Thornton wasn't answered. It was a back an forth affair in the second overtime until with 8.3 seconds left, Hofstra Moussa Kone hit one of two free throws to give Hofstra a 91-89 lead. Everyone in the building knew what was coming next....a Thornton game winning attempt. Everyone accept Thornton that is. Thornton would push the ball up court, drawing a double team as he rose up for a 3-pointer. Thornton would then dish it to a wide open Daniel Dixon in the corner who, without hesitation, knocked down the game winning three to push the Tribe into Mondays title game. It was one of the greatest CAA Tournament games in recent memory and William & Mary stand one game away from punching their ticket to the big dance for the first time in school history. Hofstra guard Juan'ya Green who had a outstanding game in his own right finished with 26 points (7-18 FG, 4-9 3FG) and 7 assist while Dion Nesmith added 21 points (9-16 FG, 3-8 3FG),, 5 assist and 3 rebounds.
Hofstra guard Juan'ya Green put up a valiant effort scoring 26 points and dishing out 7 assist
William & Mary sophomore guard Omar Prewitt finished with a career high 33 points and 5 rebounds