RALEIGH, NC – The William Peace University men's basketball team opened the regular season at home Sunday afternoon against St. Andrews University, as the Pacers escaped with a dramatic, come-from-behind victory in overtime, 90-87.

Trailing by six (87-81) with only 23 seconds left, Ryan Emfinger knocked down a three-pointer to make it a three point game. Emfinger stole the ensuing inbounds pass and put up another three, but it was swatted it out of bounds. The Knights followed a turnover with an even more costly mistake, committing an intentional foul on WPU's inbound play, which gave the Pacers two free-throws and possession. Jalen Vince stepped up to the line and made them both, making it an 87-86 game with 12 seconds left. 

Nate Strother took it out for the Pacers on the baseline, lobbed it in to Chris Thomas beyond the top of the key and leaked into the corner. Thomas penetrated the lane, drew help from Strother's defender and then kicked it to him for the wide open look. Strother drained it with only a few ticks remaining and the Pacers held on for the win. 

"That was a heck of a team with a tremendous player in Jeff Gulley, but that's why you play these games because they're very similar to opponents in our league in terms of their athleticism," said head coach Claude Shields. "You're not going to win many games when you get outrebounded by 13 and shoot nine less free-throws. We got lucky to win that game, but these are the types of lessons we have to learn and it feels a lot better to do that in a win than a loss."

The Pacers struggled to find the bottom of the net throughout most of the afternoon, but they hit 12 shots from beyond the arc compared to only three for the Knights. WPU also won the turnover battle, as SAU coughed it up 14 times, which led to 15 points at the other end for the Pacers.

While Jeff Gulley carried the load for SAU going off for 39 points and 17 rebounds, it was a more well-rounded attack for the Pacers, who had five players score in double-figures.

Strother finished with 18 points, seven boards and an assist. Emfinger also notched 18 points along with eight rebounds, an assist, a block and a steal. Vince added 18 points, 17 assists, three rebounds and a steal. Thomas turned in a double-double of 15 points and 10 boards to go with five assists, a blocked shot and a steal. Freshman Sam Johnson registered 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals in his debut as a Pacer.

The WPU men's basketball team will be back in action this Wednesday, traveling to take on Randolph College at 7:00 p.m.

For the latest news and updates from William Peace University Athletics, please visit: http://gopeacepacers.com/.