WHITING, Ind. – Staring defeat in the face, the Roosevelt Lakers overcame a seven-point deficit in the final minute of regulation to stun Calumet St. Joseph 102-95 in overtime Wednesday night in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

The Lakers (1-1, 1-0 CCAC) didn't make it easy on themselves to earn head coach Dee Brown his first career win as a head coach. The Crimson Wave knocked down a 3-pointer with a minute left to take an 88-81 lead, but the excitement was just beginning. Matt Myers knocked down a pair of free throws then Calumet St. Joseph made just one of two at the line. Ayo Ajiboye nailed a jump shot with 22 seconds left to cut the deficit to four then made another jumper seven seconds later after two missed free throws. Myers split two free throws with four seconds left that could have tied the game then the Crimson Wave made their two foul shots to take a three-point lead with two seconds left.

Myers attempted the game-tying 3-pointer but was fouled while shooting, earning him three foul shots to tie the game with no time on the clock. With the pressure on his shoulders, the senior knocked down all three free throws, completing the 10-3 run to tie the game and force overtime for a second straight contest. This time, though, Roosevelt captured the early momentum by scoring nine of the first 11 points in the period over the first 4:34 then made its free throws down the stretch to preserve the victory.

Roosevelt shot 50 percent from the floor and made 7 of 15 3-point attempts, but committed 17 turnovers that led to 18 points for Calumet St. Joseph. The Lakers did force 17 takeaways of their own, however, that also led to 18 points, and added 15 second-chance points as part of their 46-32 rebounding edge.

The game really opened up for both teams in the second half after Roosevelt took a 38-37 advantage to the locker rooms. The Lakers shot 57.1 percent from the field in the second half, but were outdone by the Crimson Wave shooting above 60 percent in the stanza, including 7 of 12 from behind the arc. Myers scored 12 of his 16 points after halftime, most of which came at the free throw line where he was 10 of 11 in the second half and overtime.

Myers added 10 assists in the game to finish with a double-double, and Chima Nwosu almost joined him with 16 points and nine rebounds in the victory. Yuri Swinford led the five Lakers in double figures with 17 points, and he also chipped in six assists and seven rebounds. Ajiboye tacked on 14 points and six boards while Lucas Jordan hit 5 of 8 from 3-point range and added a free throw for 16 points of his own.

The Lakers return to the Goodman Center on Saturday night for their next game when they welcome Illinois Tech for a 7:30 p.m. tipoff in the home opener.