LEE, N.H. (Interstat) — In a game defined by grit and a refusal to surrender, the New Hampshire Wildcats outlasted the Bryant Bulldogs 88-83 in a double-overtime men’s college basketball marathon Tuesday night at a sparsely populated Lundholm Gym.

The America East Conference contest, a rematch of a Bryant victory just over a month prior, saw both teams erase significant deficits before the Wildcats finally seized control in the second extra period.

Bryant, the visiting team, controlled the first half behind the interior presence of Keegan Harvey and Timofei Rudovskii, taking a 34-28 lead into the break. The Bulldogs extended their advantage early in the second half, but New Hampshire, led by the dynamic play of Belal El Shakery and timely shooting from Kijan Robinson, mounted a sustained comeback. The Wildcats outscored Bryant 39-33 in the second half, forcing the first overtime tied at 67.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the final seconds of regulation. With Bryant clinging to a slim lead, New Hampshire’s Tyler Bike sank a clutch three-point jump shot with just four seconds remaining to tie the game and send it to overtime, capping a fierce Wildcats rally.

The first overtime period ended deadlocked at 76, setting the stage for the decisive second overtime. There, New Hampshire’s efficiency and Bryant’s mounting fatigue became evident. The Wildcats opened the period with a quick five-point burst, including a layup from Jack Graham and a three-pointer from Robinson. Bryant, plagued by 12 turnovers against only five for New Hampshire throughout the night, could not muster a response. The Bulldogs managed only seven points in the final five-minute period, while New Hampshire scored 12 to secure the victory.

New Hampshire was propelled by a standout performance from Belal El Shakery. The junior from Alexandria, Egypt, scored 23 points, dished out five assists, and grabbed a key defensive rebound in the final seconds. His all-around play was a catalyst, especially after quieter offensive outings in his previous games. He was supported by Kijan Robinson’s 22 points, including several crucial three-pointers, and 12 points apiece from Jack Graham and Tyler Bike, whose late regulation three was the game’s pivotal shot.

Bryant’s effort was led by a pair of international big men. Keegan Harvey, from Newcastle, Australia, logged 46 minutes and scored 23 points. Timofei Rudovskii of Moscow, Russia, played 43 minutes and added 19 points. Aaron Davis contributed 14 points for the Bulldogs, and point guard Ty Tabales distributed six assists.

Statistically, the game was a study in contrasting styles. New Hampshire shot 48.6% from the floor (35 of 72) and won despite connecting on only 8 of 28 three-point attempts and 10 of 19 free throws. Bryant shot 47.7% (31 of 65) and was more efficient from distance (10 of 26) and the line (11 of 15). The decisive factors were New Hampshire’s advantages in assists (7-2), steals (7-2), and a stark disparity in turnovers, where Bryant committed 12 to New Hampshire’s five.

The win improved New Hampshire’s season record to 9-20, while Bryant fell to 9-21. The result defied the pregame statistical projections, which slightly favored Bryant, and easily surpassed the sportbooks’ expected total. For the Wildcats, it was a hard-earned conference victory in a season with few bright spots, sealed by resilience and a dramatic, season-saving shot at the end of regulation.