SALISBURY, Md.--The Hood College men's basketball team (15-10, 7-9 CAC) defeated the Salisbury Sea Gulls (12-12, 5-10 CAC) in an incredible game that saw the Blazers playoff prayers answered in a 58-49 victory. The win clinched the sixth and final playoff spot for the Blazers in the upcoming Capital Athletic Conference Tournament, which begins Tuesday. The loss ended Salisbury's chances of making the conference tournament.

The game came down to the final seconds of regulation when junior forward Justin Stone was fouled with 8.0 seconds remaining and the Blazers down by two points. Stone barely grazed the rim on the first foul shot and missed the second as well, however he came up with the biggest play of the season for the Blazers after the miss. Senior guard Brenden Straughn fought for possession after the miss and the ball ended up back in Stone's hands and he converted a layup with four seconds remaining to give Hood life. Salisbury guard Devin Posey launched a last-second desperation three that did not find the basket to send the game into overtime.

The overtime session belonged to the Blazers as they seized control from the beginning and never relinquished the momentum gained at the end of regulation. Two Cameron Cook free throws got Hood on the board first and then Stone took control. Stone had two great drives to the basket on two straight possessions and swiftly finished both shots giving Hood a six-point lead.

Stone finished the contest with 17 points, a season-high, and 12 rebounds to give him his seventh career double-double. Straughn then hit a running jumper with 1:15 remaining in the extra session to bring the Hood fans that made the trip to their feet sensing victory. Salisbury did not net its first points in overtime until there were just 29.0 seconds remaining and the Blazers were already well on their way to clinching their spot in the CAC tournament.

Hood's defense was swarming in the extra session, as Salisbury could only score three points in the five-minute stanza. Hood's defense limited Salisbury to tough shots and forced turnovers to help lead the blue-and-grey to victory.

Both teams struggled from the floor in the first half, although Salisbury did hit 4-of-7 from three in the first half. Hood shot just 1-of-10 from behind the arc in the game and was unable to get on track from long range. Stone got the Blazers on the board first with two layups to start the game. Sophomore guard Justin Bowens then hit a ridiculous layup and got fouled to give Hood a 9-7 lead seven minutes into the contest. Salisbury guard Chris Viqueira made his second three of the first half to give Salisbury its first lead at 11-10 at the 12:02 mark. Straughn hit a three late in the half but it was answered by Salisbury's Mike Atkins, who hit from deep with a little over a minute remaining to give the Sea Gulls a two-point advantage going into intermission (24-22).

The second half was a half of highs and lows for the Blazers as they battled fiercely to keep their playoff hopes alive. Senior forward LaVar Rich hit two big shots at the beginning of the half to keep Hood in the game when it seemed like Salisbury was starting to gain momentum.

Three straight points by Reggie Daniels gave Hood a 37-33 advantage with 8:39 left in the game. Salisbury's Mike Maczko hit a jumper to give Salisbury a 43-39 advantage, capping off a 10-4 run with just under three minutes remaining.

A missed layup by Stone was tipped in by Rich to bring Hood within two and brought the crowd to its feet in anticipation. A Jason Nwosu jumper gave Salisbury a 45-42 lead with 1:55 remaining and it seemed as though Hood was going to fall in another close game. This Hood team though showed resiliency and two clutch free throws by Stone with 1:46 left brought the Blazers within one, 45-44. A missed jumper by the Sea Gulls gave Hood an opportunity to take the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining.

Stone hit Rich with a beautiful pass on the inside, but the short Rich jumper did not stay in as Salisbury appeared to have the game in control. This was not to be though as Maczko was only able to hit one of his two free throw attempts leaving the door open for Hood and when Stone was fouled he had a little magic for the Blazers with his game-tying layup.

Hood returns to action this Tuesday when it makes its third straight CAC tournament appearance. The Blazers will either play York, Frostburg or Wesley depending on Saturday's outcomes. Click here to check out the potential seeding scenarios.