LEWISBURG, Pa. (Interstat) — In a game that defied the odds and exhausted both rosters, the Bucknell Bison outlasted the Boston University Terriers 103-97 in a double-overtime men’s basketball marathon on Saturday at Sojka Pavilion. The contest, a Patriot League matchup between teams with sub-.500 records, transformed into an instant classic defined by offensive fireworks, crucial free throws, and a career-defining performance from Bucknell’s Amon Dörries.

The game’s most critical sequence unfolded in the final minute of the second overtime. With Bucknell clinging to a 101-100 lead, Boston University’s Chance Gladden missed a driving layup that would have put the Terriers ahead. Bucknell’s Quin Berger secured the defensive rebound and was immediately fouled. The reserve forward, who played just 12 total minutes, calmly sank both free throws with 14 seconds remaining to extend the lead to three points.

Boston University’s final attempt to tie, a Michael McNair three-pointer, missed. After a scramble for the offensive rebound, Bucknell’s Pat Curtin was fouled and made two more free throws with two seconds left to seal the improbable victory. The Bison scored 22 points in the second extra period, with 10 coming from the free-throw line, to finally subdue the Terriers.

The game should not have reached that point for Bucknell. The Bison led 67-65 with under a minute remaining in regulation after a driving layup from Amon Dörries. Boston University answered when Ben Defty scored inside with 4.1 seconds left to force the first overtime, tied at 67-67.

The first overtime was a mirror image, featuring another dramatic tying basket. Bucknell held a 79-77 lead after a Pat Curtin step-back jumper with 35 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Boston University’s Michael McNair drove the lane and scored a difficult layup with 28 seconds remaining to knot the game at 79-79. Bucknell had a chance to win, but Aleksander Pachucki’s layup attempt at the buzzer was off the mark, sending the teams to a second overtime.

The offensive numbers were staggering for a game that required 50 minutes to decide. Both teams finished with identical offensive efficiency, each using 78 possessions. Bucknell shot 51.6% from the field (32 of 62) and an even more impressive 50% from three-point range (11 of 22). Boston University was not far behind, hitting 45.6% from the floor (31 of 68) and 35.5% from deep (11 of 31). The difference came in volume and accuracy at the foul line, where Bucknell made 28 of 33 attempts compared to Boston University’s 24 of 29.

The individual performances were monumental. Bucknell was led by Amon Dörries, a 6-foot-11 junior from Potsdam, Germany, who scored a career-high 36 points on 11-of-19 shooting, adding six rebounds. He was complemented by a huge double-double from Pat Curtin, who had 22 points and 10 rebounds, and 24 points from Achile Spadone.

For Boston University, Chance Gladden was spectacular in defeat. The junior guard from Raleigh, North Carolina, played 47 minutes and poured in 34 points. Sam Hughes added 22 points, while Ben Defty posted a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Michael McNair played a game-high 49 minutes, contributing 19 points and six rebounds.

The game began at a frenetic pace, with Bucknell taking a 32-28 lead into halftime. The Bison expanded their lead to as many as 13 points in the second half before Boston University mounted a furious comeback, fueled by Gladden and a barrage of three-pointers, to set the stage for the dramatic finish.

The win improved Bucknell’s record to 7-16 overall. Boston University fell to 8-15. The teams are scheduled to meet again in Boston on Feb. 14.

According to Interstat’s ELO system, Bucknell had been projected with a 67.8% probability to win, a forecast that nearly proved incorrect multiple times in the closing moments. The combined score of 200 points shattered the pregame over/under line of 142.5. The announced attendance was 1,429.