Yale Wins in Exciting Finish

Lincoln --- Sam Kaplan scored a team-high 16 points, including a pair of free throws with six seconds remaining, to cap a come-from-behind victory for Yale over Louisiana Tech, 69-68, in the second game of the John Thompson Foundation Basketball Challenge Friday night at the Devaney Center.

Kaplan led three Bulldogs in double figures as Yale fought back from a double-figure deficit in the second half to earn the season-opening win. Eric Flato and Travis Pinick also each scored 13 points while Casey Hughes recorded a game-high 13 rebounds with four assists.

Louisiana Tech took an 11-point lead, 48-37, on  Harry Disy jumper with just over 16 minutes remaining before the Bulldogs began their comeback. Pinick scored four of the next six points before Nick Holmes and Flato hit consecutive 3-pointers to bring Yale within four, 53-49, with 9:14 remaining.

Yale then used an 11-0, including six straight made shots at the foul line, to take a 64-60 lead at the 3:36 mark. Louisiana Tech wouldn't give up as it took a 68-66 lead with 1:06 to play before the Bulldogs' final push and defensive stand led to the one-point win.