Back problems had limited Aberdeen forward R.J. Johnson's playing time this season, but he made Edgewood feel some pain in last night's game.
Johnson hit back-to-back three-pointers in overtime to help visiting Aberdeen take charge, and the Eagles scored the final eight points of the extra period for a 67-59 victory over Edgewood in the Upper Chesapeake Bay Athletic Conference season opener for both teams.
A back sprain had sidelined the 6-foot-2 junior the previous two weeks, and Aberdeen coach Richard Hart said it was the first time Johnson had gotten into the flow of a game. He gave the Eagles a spark with 11 points off the bench in a rematch of last year's UCBAC title game.
The game was tied at 56 heading into overtime after Edgewood's 25-point fourth quarter had erased Aberdeen's 41-31 lead after three periods.
The Rams were leading by two in overtime when Johnson hit his first three-point shot from the left wing with 2:38 left. He hit another from the same spot with 1:37 remaining to give the Eagles the lead for good at 62-59.
"We needed somebody to step up," Johnson said. "I just felt it and shot it up."
Stephan Robinson (17 points) hit another three-pointer 20 seconds later, and Brandon Newell added a jumper in the final 20 seconds for Aberdeen (4-5).
Hart credited assistant coach Ron Green with urging him to use a 2-2-1 press that gave the Rams trouble in overtime. Edgewood (5-4) scored just one basket in overtime and no points in the final 2:21.
Devon Saddler led Aberdeen with 18 points as the Eagles had to overcome a spectacular effort by Edgewood senior guard Ed Jones, who finished with 32 points and 16 rebounds.