MARLBORO - Prior to its loss to Christian Brothers Academy on Tuesday, the last game the Howell boys basketball team lost was a lopsided defeat at the hands of Marlboro in its own home gym - one that sunk the Rebels to 0-3.

Nine games later, Howell got a chance to show how far it has come against a team that sent them to rock bottom before their eventual resurgence.

Senior Nasiem Brantley scored the game-tying layup with 2.6 seconds left in regulation and junior Matt Ganter hit the go-ahead free throws in overtime to help Howell beat Marlboro, 61-58, in overtime.

With his team trailing by four in the final minute of the fourth quarter senior Eddie Morales knocked down a three-pointer and after one of two free throws on the other end, Brantley converted a drive to the basket to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation.

Ganter scored 16 points to go with five rebounds, six assists and four steals to lead the way and Wilson contributed 15 points. Senior Dante Lanzetta caught fire in the first half with three three-pointers and finished with those nine points.

Junior Dylan Kaufman scored a game-high 24 points to lead Marlboro while sophomore Alex Ratner added 15 in the loss.

After falling to Marlboro, 60-34, to drop to 0-3, the Rebels rattled off seven straight wins before losing to CBA on Tuesday.

Marlboro, meanwhile, has dropped two straight heartbreaking losses since handing Manasquan its first loss of the season on Saturday. Colts Neck scored at the buzzer to beat Marlboro, 52-51, on Tuesday and the Mustangs gave up another later score on Thursday to let another potential win escape.

 

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