Kent Crusaders took advantage of Ipswich’s mistakes down the stretch to stay undefeated in NBL Division 2 Men with an 80-75 Overtime win on Saturday at Brompton Academy.

Trailing by two with 15 seconds left in regulation, Kent Head Coach Lloyd Gardner was called for a technical foul, but Ipswich were unable to convert off the free throw or extra possession. That set up Amin Adamu’s heroics as he drew a foul to sink two free throws in the dying seconds and force overtime.

In overtime, Crusaders held their nerve and executed down the stretch to pull out a five point victory.

“We got lucky,” said Kent Head Coach Lloyd Gardner after the game.

“We started the game playing pretty well. Ipswich are a dangerous team and the reality is I think they will look at the game and feel like they lost it rather than we won it.

“They gave us an opportunity down the stretch, missing free throws, which we took advantage of. Amin (Adamu) made two big ones for us with not a lot of time to go, and in overtime i think we executed pretty well in a close game.

“I said to the guys after the game it’s always good to win a game when you don’t play particularly well and I thought today we didn’t play our best but we still came out with a win against a very good team.”

Adamu led Crusaders with 22 points, while John Shodipo had 19 and RJ Eytle-Rock 13.

Kent will look to keep their streak going next week when they make the long trip to face Liverpool (5pm tip on December 3).