Josh Christiaans crashed hard as Olly Smith’s lay-up hung on the rim.
Smith, who had done everything to withstand a furious comeback, could not get that final lay-up to go with the scores tied.
But Christiaans got a hand to it, tipping it back in and giving the Bombers an 89-87 lead over the Andy Bay Falcons, with a second to play.
They held that, claiming their second win of the Dunedin men’s club basketball season on Saturday.
It should never have been that close.
The Bombers led 62-44 midway through the third quarter and appeared to be cruising for much of the game.
Jordan Perez (29 points) had his best game in Dunedin’s A grade league, gaining penetration and scoring from close range.
Likewise athletic big man Joseph Matalanga had a similarly impressive game, putting up 14 points, both running well and capitalising on the offensive glass.
They were key in helping the Bombers out to a handy lead, which hovered around 10 for most of the second quarter.
It was 47-38 at halftime, before the Falcons put their foot down and seemed to make a game-defining run.
The Bombers’ points dried up and, at the same time, the Falcons’ offence clicked.
Sam Senior (36 points) and Matt Pyper (23 points) took over the game to reel in the deficit.
They began getting to the hoop with ease, pulling the Falcons back to 67-65 at the end of the third quarter.
Pyper put them into the lead early in the fourth quarter, although it was not until late that the Falcons gained their first genuine buffer.
While the Falcons continued their comeback, Smith (20 points), as he so often does, put the Bombers on his back to keep them going through the rough period.
A steal put Pyper out on his own, throwing down a dunk to give his team an 84-82 lead, before a three-point play from Senior gave the Falcons a five-point lead.
Smith hit a triple to pull the Bombers back to within two, though, before Perez tied the score at 87-87 with just over 30 seconds left.
The Falcons called time-out, but were unable to generate a shot from their possession, at which point Christiaans tipped in the game winner.
In other games, James Ross scored 43 points, his second 40-point game in as many weeks, to lead the St Kilda Saints to a 98-87 win over the Magic Lions.
Nathan Hanna had 21 points as the Mid City Magic beat Varsity 116-52, keeping the students winless after eight games.
