MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – LMU used an improbable 8-0 run over the final 1:20 of regulation to force overtime and eventually defeat Wake Forest in the Championship Game of the 2022 Jamaica Classic, 77-75.
 
LMU trailed by eight points early in the game, 13-5, when Chance Stephens hit his first three of the night. From that shot, LMU closed the half on a 30-12 run over the final 13:26, including Stephens hitting all five of his three attempts including an and-1.
 
In that first half run, both Alex Merkviladze and Justin Ahrens hit threes. The Lions knocked down eight in the half from long range as Jalin Anderson knocked one down to snap an early 9-0 Wake Forest run.
 
The Demon Deacons used a 12-3 run to take a 45-44 lead with less than 10 minutes to play in regulation. Cam Shelton scored LMU's last nine points to give the lead back to the Lions, 50-47, with 7:33 on the clock.
 
Wake Forest scored a three to tie the game, then took the lead on their ensuing possession. The game stayed within one possession until Wake Forest used a 7-0 run by the center Marsh to lead 63-55.
 
With LMU still down by eight Stephens hit a three with 1:20 on the clock. Keli Leaupepe cut it to a three-point game with his layup at 36 seconds Wake Forest missed both free throws to make it a two-possession game. Leaupepe grabbed the rebound and the Lions pushed forward with a chance to tie. With 1.6 seconds remaining in the game, Shelton buried the tying three to even the score at 65-all. The Lions defended the last possession and forced overtime.
 
The run extended to 10-0 as Shelton hit the first shot of overtime, capitalizing on a steal and breakaway started by Ahrens. After Wake Forest tied the game from the free throw line, Ahrens hit his first of two overtime threes to put the Lions ahead. The Demon Deacons took the lead back and led by two. After Wake Forest turned  the ball over with 30 seconds to play, Stephens finished his career night with the go-ahead three with 12 seconds remaining. On the other end, Leaupepe grabbed the attempted go-ahead shot and went to the line to seal it for the Lions.
 
Stephens made 7-of-10 threes for a career-high 23 points. Shelton hit the 20-points mark with the last three of regulation and the first basket of overtime. Ahrens hit three threes and a layup for his 11 points. Leaupepe finished with a near double-double grabbing 10 rebounds to go along with his nine points.

LMU is the first program in tournament history to win the event twice, following the 2018 win with this year's championship. This is LMU's first win over an ACC school since 1966 when the Lions defeated North Carolina State at home. This was the first-ever meeting between LMU and Wake Forest.
 
The Lions will face fellow Jamaica Classic participant Morgan State Wednesday back in Los Angeles for a noon tip-off.
 
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