Jairus Lyles’ game-winning three-pointer sends UMBC to Big Dance, snaps 23-game losing streak to UVM

Jairus Lyles drained a straight-on three-pointer in the final seconds and No. 2 UMBC stunned No. 1 Vermont on its home floor, 65-62, to win the America East championship Saturday afternoon.

Lyles finished with 27 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds as UMBC (24-10) snapped a 23-game losing streak to the Catamounts.

“That’s a shot I’ve been working on all season,” he said, “after practice, before practice. So he called a play, I waved it off, said I’m going to take it myself.”

Jairus Lyles drains a 3 and UMBC is on the brink of Dancing pic.twitter.com/UmHA6JTClE
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 10, 2018

‘That’s a shot I’ve been working on all season’ – Jairus Lyles pic.twitter.com/1KuhI0FRdw
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) March 10, 2018

(Danielle Ohman contributed reporting)

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Written by Adam Zagoria

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Adam Zagoria is a Basketball Insider who covers basketball at all levels. A contributor to The New York Times and SportsNet New York (SNY), he is also the author of two books and is an award-winning journalist and filmmaker. His articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide. He also won an Emmy award for his work on the SNY mini-documentary on Syracuse guard Tyus Battle. A veteran Ultimate Frisbee player, he has competed in numerous National and World Championships and, perhaps more importantly, his teams won the Westchester Summer League (WSL) championships in 2011 and 2013. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and children.