Patrick Lee
/ photo: Stonehill College
SYRACUSE -- A Fayetteville native is in the national spotlight after sinking a buzzer-beating shot to defeat his hometown rival.
Fayetteville-Manlius graduate Patrick Lee hit a turnaround three-pointer from 33 feet away to give Stonehill College an 84-82 overtime win over Le Moyne College Tuesday night. The 6'5" junior forward finished the game with 9 points and 8 rebounds in 37 minutes of play.
"It was just shock. I can't believe that actually happened and then the next thing I know my teammates are all sprinting at me. It was just an adrenaline rush," said Lee.
That adrenaline rush intensified when the game-winning basket made ESPN SportsCenter's "Top Play" Wednesday.
"It happened so quickly. It was only 2 seconds, and I saw it go through the net," said Patrick's Dad who was in the stands. "I was watching with my daughter who goes to Le Moyne. She said dad you actually left your feet, which I haven't done in years. So it was fun."
The video has gone viral, making it's way onto YouTube and numerous sports websites. "I was so ecstatic. I still shake every time I see it so it's a wonderful feeling," said Patrick's Mom Janine.
While it was a tough loss for Le Moyne to suffer at home, the school says all this attention shines a positive light on Division II basketball, and the athletic programs at Le Moyne and Stonehill.
Patrick grew up in Central New York and was a football and basketball start at F-M. Playing so close to home on Tuesday night, meant he had a lot of fans in the stands. "I couldn't have asked for a better place to hit that shot. I had family that flew in from California and Minnesota and all my friends. It was just great to do it in front of them," he said. Patrick's Mother Janine said even his grandparents, who are in their 80's, were in the gym to see their grandchild sink the winning shot.
Click on the video player below to watch Lee's big basket, courtesy Le Moyne College, ESPN, and YouTube.
Click here for a full game recap from Le Moyne Athletics.
