Ezra Manjon breaks down buzzer-beater shot vs. Texas A&M
Heartbreak for Texas A&M meant euphoria for the Vanderbilt Commodores, who scored a last-second buzzer-beating shot to beat the Aggies 74-73 for their second SEC win of the season.
The Man of the Hour was point guard and Commodore leader Ezra Manjon. With his team down one point with just a handful of ticks remaining on the game clock, the Vandy star slithered into the lane and attempted to hoist a floater, but was swarmed by A&M defenders and had his shot rejected. No matter, because the ball fell back into Manjon’s hands and he had time to chuck up one last desperation attempt.
While ugly, the shot dropped with a beautiful swish to send Vandy players trampling over themselves as they sprinted to pile on Manjon after the horn sounded. Take a look at this ridiculous final sequence and shot, as well as the ensuing celebration:
After the game, Ezra Manjon admitted that he may have strayed away from the play call by Jerry Stackhouse in the final moments.
“We had a little play that we were supposed to run. I kind of broke it off a little bit,” Manjon shared to a press room which erupted with laughter as one reporter commented jokingly, “a little bit?”
Manjon continued, breaking down his chaotic final possession in full detail:
“But yeah, I just tried to get my feet in the paint and make a play and I got (the defender) up in the air pretty good. I thought I had a clean look. He played some good defense, got it back, but tipped it right back into my hands for like a little good touch shot right there. So, good to do that.”
That final shot attempt is certainly not what most coaches would hope for. But according to Manjon himself, he and other teammates have practiced crazy shots like that before.
“I mean, I do those type of playing shots all the time. Because we got a young team, now, we’re always playing around, stuff like that. So that’s a shot I’ve seen in practice and stuff,” he added.
Lastly, Manjon explained what that shot and the victory mean for a Vandy team that’s really struggled this season:
“Man, it was the best. You know, been through a lot um this season and we just continued to fight. And so, being able to spend that moment with with my guys, that meant everything for me.”
A moment to cherish for Ezra Manjon and Vanderbilt hoops fans.