RALEIGH, NC – The William Peace University men's basketball team came up with a crucial win Wednesday night, keeping their USA South Conference Tournament hopes alive with an 83-79, overtime victory over Methodist.
   
WPU improves to 10-14 overall and 5-8 in the USA South. The win and a Maryville loss to Piedmont Wednesday night also put the Pacers back in control of their own destiny. The Pacers clinch a spot in the tournament with a win over Greensboro in their regular season finale or a Maryville loss in theirs. WPU could climb as high as the seven seed with a win and an Averett loss in their regular season finale at Ferrum.

Freshman Sam Johnson led all scorers and matched his season high of 22 points. He tied the program record for the second time this season by hitting six three-pointers (out of 12).  Johnson also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out three assists, and racked up five steals.
 
Chris Thomas continued on his recent tear, posting his fifth double-double of the season with 19 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, a block and three steals. He's averaged nearly 22 points and eight rebounds over his last four games.

Fayettville natives Jalen Vince and Kori Anderson also reached double-figures. Vince finished with 13 points, four rebounds and five assists, while Anderson added 10 points and two boards.

The Pacers came out unordinarily quick with an 11-0 run in the opening five minutes, but Methodist led by the break and looked poised to pull away leading by nine (57-48) a couple minutes past the midway point of the second half.

WPU weathered the storm though. Down three, Johnson tied the game at 69 with 1:17 left and then found Vince under the basket for a 71-69 after coming up with a steal. Brandon Monk and Tabias Hilliard carried the load for Methodist much of the night, but they both missed free-throws down the stretch that could have salted it away.

Instead, they went into overtime tied at 71 after the Pacers came up empty with a chance to win it in regulation. The Monarchs (7-16, 3-9 USAS) took a 77-73 lead at the 2:36 mark, but it was all Pacers from there. Johnson hit back-to-back threes and ended up outscoring Methodist in the overtime period by himself, 9-8.

Monk led Methodist with 17 points, nine rebounds and five assists, while Hilliard added 16 points, two rebounds and two assists off the bench. Will Baggett scored 11 points. Jackson Whitley added 10 points, nine boards, two blocks and a steal.

The WPU men's basketball team closes the regular season at home against Greensboro this Saturday at 5:00 p.m., where the Pacers will honor seniors Tyquan Nolan, Terry Rogers and Nate Strother before the game.

Video coverage and live stats will be available for the contest. Daron Vaught will be on the call for the Pacers Basketball Network.

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