For Immediate Release
Dec. 4, 2008

Contact:George Gagnier
Sports Information Director
(585) 245-5346
gagnier@geneseo.edu

Senior Scott Morton discusses his game-saving
shot on ESPN’s “First Take.”

Scott Morton’s Miraculous Basketball Shot Receives National Attention

GENESEO, N.Y. -- In what many are calling one of the best displays of second effort in sports history, SUNY Geneseo senior guard Scott Morton made a diving save off of a rebound and scored the winning basket at the buzzer Tuesday night with a miraculous “over the shoulder, behind-the-back” shot.   It gave the Blue Knights an 85-84 win over SUNY Oswego and was the #1 Play of the Day Wednesday on ESPN “SportsCenter.”  The shot also received attention on sports broadcasts across the nation Wednesday.

Morton was bombarded with calls and email messages Wednesday after word spread of his miracle shot.  ESPN2 interviewed him on its “First Take” program, which includes video of the shot and is available for viewing here.  He also was interviewed on numerous local television and radio stations.

“It’s still soaking in,” said Morton, a business administration major from Syracuse.  “I didn’t get much sleep after the game because I heard ESPN was interested in broadcasting the video.  I was in the right place at exactly the right time and I couldn’t believe it went in.”

Morton was a juggernaut for the entire game.  With ten seconds left in the game, he made a three-point shot to put Geneseo in the lead, but Oswego quickly drove back and scored to take a one-point lead.  With three seconds left, Geneseo inbounded to Morton’s fast-breaking teammate, whose missed layup was lifted in by Morton for the win, with a fraction of second showing on the clock.  

“We all were shocked but thrilled when he sunk the shot,” says Geneseo Athletic Director Marilyn Moore.  “Scott is an exceptional student-athlete who represents the academic and athletic excellence associated with Geneseo.  He deserves all the attention he is getting for his amazing effort.”

The Geneseo Department of Athletics has received numerous emails from alumni and others around the country who saw coverage of the shot, including members of the Roundtable Athletic Association (RAA). The RAA is an organization of Geneseo alumni, parents, friends and business supporters committed to advancing the Geneseo Intercollegiate Athletics Program.  For more information on how to support the college's athletic programs, click here.