BAYAMON (Baloncesto Superior Nacional) – Donald Copeland buried a three-pointer with just 1.4 seconds remaining to lift Atleticos de San German over defending champion Vaqueros de Bayamon 70-68 on the opening day of the 2010 BSN season in Puerto Rico.

The way the game finished was made even more improbable by the fact that Copeland was signed just 24 hours prior to the game, after San German traded away starting point guard Christopher Vega and forward Manuel De Jesus.

Copeland, drafted by San German after Gigantes Carolina announced their layoff this season, came in without knowing the system but played great at both ends of the court and gave his team the surprising win.

The 26-year-old finished with 20 points, seven assists and three steals and shooting guard Johwen Villegas had a game-high 22.

Carmelo Antrone Lee led Bayamon with 15 points while DeMarco Johnson and Christian Dalmau both added 13 points, the latter also dishing out 12 assists and grabbing five rebounds in the loss.

“I am happy to be back in the league,” said Copeland, who is of Puerto Rican descent.

"I still have to learn the system, but the team picked us up, Johwen had a big second half and we stuck together. The key for a young team like this is not to be satisfied and come in every night expecting to play better."

San German took control early on thanks to some good ball movement that led to open shots which they were able to knock down.

On the defensive end, the visitors forced turnovers and finished the first quarter up 22-16 on Alphonse Dyer’s three-pointer that beat the buzzer.

In the second period, Villegas and Copeland combined for all but two of San German’s points to extend the lead to 45-34 at the intermission.

Bayamon were struggling offensively, unable to get past some stifling defense and close to the basket, instead having to for outside shots with a low rate of accuracy.

San German might have thought they had the win wrapped up, but the defending champions came out of the locker room with more intensity and purpose and made a game of it.

With their fans cheering them on, the hosts went on a furious 23-3 run spanning the end of the third quarter and start of the final frame to take a 61-57 lead on Johnson’s free-throws.

The forward continued his great offensive display to keep Bayamon on top a bit longer before San German got within 68-67 on Monty Wilson’s foul shot with a minute remaining.

The home side then failed to score as San German played great defense once again and that set the stage for Copeland’s game-winning basket.

"We came out with a lot of energy, determination and played great team basketball to win the game,” San German head coach Nelson Colon said afterwards.

“This is a game of momentum, and we had it for most of the game, but Bayamon, who has a great team, came back and even took the lead. At the end we dominated on both ends."

FIBA