The Francis Marion University (FMU) men’s basketball team defeated the University of North Carolina Pembroke (UNCP) Braves 78-74 in overtime on Feb. 6.
While the Braves did lead in rebounds, 46, and assists, 19, it was not enough to stop the Patriots.
In the first half, the Patriots held a seven-point gap against the Braves; the score read 37-30. Evrik Gary, starting guard, was leading with 13 points and nine assists followed by Dustin Jones, starting forward, with nine points and an assist. Starting center for the Patriots, Clark Major, led in rebounds.
The Patriots were shooting at almost 91 percent from the free throw line.
Gary made a game high of 26 points, which furthered his record-shattering career total.
UNCP was not far behind the Patriots going into the half. Starting guard for the Braves, Ben Jacobs, scored nine points followed by their starting center, Brandon Winford, who had eight points and lead in rebounds with six.
The second half revealed more determination from UNCP. There were a few times when UNCP fell within a single possession of taking the lead away from FMU, but the Patriots were not to give in so easily.
It was within the final nine minutes of the game that the Braves took the lead away and began the grueling fight to the finish.
Alex Bradley led in the second half by adding nine points to the Braves’ total. Jacobs added three more points and eight more rebounds.
The Patriots tried to keep the Braves from scoring, and with the help of Gary, who scored another 13 points, it was a well-fought battle.
It was a three pointer made by the Braves’ Bradley at the eight second mark that sent both teams into overtime.
With points made by Robert Carpenter, Tremont Dixon, Tyler Diehl and Clark, the Patriots were able to regain and maintain their win until time ran out.
The teams were so evenly matched, neither one was willing to give the other much of an advantage.
FMU would go on to play Lander Feb. 8 and lose 96-63. This brought their overall record to 8-12; the team remains in fourth place in the Peach Belt Conference (PBC) East Division standings with 5-9.