Grant Smith's desperation three-pointer as time expired lifted Indiana Tech to an 81-80 victory over Lourdes on Sunday afternoon inside the Schaeffer Center in Fort Wayne, Ind.
 
The Gray Wolves went in front 80-78 as Kenny Coleman (Toledo, Ohio/Saint Francis de Sales H.S.) pulled up and drained a jumper from the free throw line with 1.3 seconds to play.  Following three timeouts, Rog Stein ran the baseline and threw a baseball pass the length of the court that Smith caught turning toward the basket and fired from the right corner for the game-winner.
 
The game was tight throughout with nine ties and 15 lead changes over the 40 minutes.
 
Indiana Tech built the game's first lead multiple possession lead, 17-10, scoring eight straight points, only for Lourdes to respond with an 8-0 run of its own to put the Gray Wolves on top 19-18 midway through the first half.  The Warriors retook the lead, building a 35-26 advantage with five minutes to play before halftime, only to again see Lourdes battle back and tie the game at 39.  A last second foul by the Gray Wolves put Smith at the free throw line where he made all three attempts to give the hosts a 42-39 lead at the break.
 
Lourdes scored the first five points out of the locker room to pull back in front.  The game was tied at 60 midway through the second half when Indiana Tech scored six straight points only to see Lourdes answer with a 7-0 run of its own to retake a one-point advantage. 
 
Again, the Warriors would forge back ahead, leading by four with 1:30 to play.  Clif Snow (Middletown, Ohio/Middletown H.S.) pulled Lourdes to within two, 78-76, with a driving layup with 1:10 to play.  After an Indiana Tech turnover, Brett Lauf (Napoleon, Ohio/Napoleon H.S) was fouled and converted both free throws, tying the game with 43 ticks left on the clock.  Indiana Tech missed a triple attempt on its next possession and Snow grabbed the rebound, setting the stage for the final seconds.
 
Julian Egbo (Toledo, Ohio/Rogers H.S.) led Lourdes with 29 points and nine rebounds while Lauf registered a double-double with 14 points and 10 assists.  Coleman and Snow each scored 13 points for the Gray Wolves as Lourdes shot 48.5% from the floor for the game.
 
Smith led five Indiana Tech (17-8, 8-2 WHAC) players in double figures with 19 points while Cory McKinney added 18 points.
 
Lourdes (8-5, 6-3) will close out the regular season on Tuesday evening, traveling to Ann Arbor, Mich. to battle Concordia (Mich.).  Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. inside Cardinal Fieldhouse.