NEWPORT NEWS, Va. -- The William Peace University men's basketball team came within one shot of completing a comeback and defeating Old Westbury, but the Panthers held on to defeat the Pacers 76-73. William Peace had a couple shots from beyond the arc to take the lead in the final few seconds but couldn't connect.

William Peace was led by Ryan Emfinger who scored 20 points. Jay Hicks, Chris Thomas and John Burwell all scored in double figures with 16, 15 and 12, respectively.

The Panthers jumped out to an early lead over the Pacers to start the game and went up by 15 points at halftime. The Pacers trailed 42-27 and was only shooting 27% from the field.

The Pacers and Panthers traded baskets for much of the first 10 minutes of the half, but the Pacers started to mount a slow comeback and got within four at the 8:39 mark. The Panthers weren't intimidated at that point and rallied off a 13-3 run to go up by 14 points in the span of five minutes. The Pacers responded by going on an 11-1 run of their own in two minutes to get the score to 73-69 with 54 seconds remaining.

The Panthers made one of two free throws on their next possession but allowed Jalen Vince to earn a layup. Camden Ferguson came up with a steal and Jay Hicks knocked down two free throws to get the Pacers within one point, 74-73, with 31 seconds remaining.

The Pacers forced the Panthers to the foul line on their next possession in which the Panthers missed the first and made the second with 25 seconds left. William Peace got Ryan Emfinger a look at three from the right wing, but he couldn't connect. Camden Ferguson got the offensive rebound and kicked it back out to Ryan Emfinger for another three, this time from the corner, which also didn't connect. The Panther got the rebound and William Peace immediately fouled with five seconds remaining.

The Panthers only made one of their two free throws again. Ryan Emfinger got one more opportunity from three, this time a straight away shot from 27 feet, but missed it wide left.


BIG PICTURE
The Pacers struggled on offensive Wednesday night shooting only 30% from the field and a season-low 6.7% from beyond the arc, both are season lows. The Pacers average nine made three pointers a contest but only saw two go in against the Panthers. The loss knocks William Peace out of the championship game and likely an opportunity to face a top-10 opponent in Christopher Newport University.

UP NEXT
The Pacers will compete in the 4 p.m. consolation match against the loser of the Christopher Newport University and Pittsburgh Greensburg matchup.