Raleigh,NC--The William Peace University Men's Basketball Team fell in a double overtime battle against Averett College (103-101).

In the first half, the two conference rivals played fast and physical basketball. Tyson Sellers put the Pacers on the board first with an aggressive drive to the basket. Jalen Burnett would be the first Averett player to score in tonight's game with a layup. Trey Bryant was a big presence in the paint in the first half. Samuel Arnold would add to the Pacer lead with a big three-pointer extending the lead to (6-3). Joshua Jones would hit a big three as well making the score (12-7) with 15:48 remaining in the first half. With 12:56 remaining in the half Smith Gupton hit a long three to make the Pacers increase by five. The game was back and forth and the Cougars would come within three points with 2:24 remaining in the half. Samuel Arnold, however, extended the Pacer lead to five with a physical layup in the paint. The Cougars would pull within two, but the Pacers held the lead going into the locker room with the score of 38-33.

The Cougars would come out of the locker room with a big three-pointer by James Contreras Jr. which tied the game. Averett took the lead with 18:59 remaining in the second half. Trey Bryant tied the game with 16:44 remaining in the game. The Pacers and Cougars went back and forth with the lead with  just under 15 minutes remaining. A three by Tyson Sellers put the Pacers ahead by three with 13:59 remaining. With 8:34 remaining in the second half the Cougars pulled within three points and soon after, Moriba Diaby put the Cougars within one point with a layup. The Pacers would tie the game at 78 thanks to two free throws by Trey Bryant. The Pacers would head into overtime tied with a final regulation score of 78-78.

In the first overtime the Pacers took the early lead. Averett scored four unanswered points to take the lead 81-79. The Pacers pulled within two points with a layup from Tre McLean. William Peace tied things up with three seconds remaining as Tre McLean came down with a crucial offensive rebound to follow with a putback layup. This sent the Pacers to double overtime (91-91).

McLean kicked off the second overtime for the Pacers with a layup to put the Pacers ahead (93-91). Averett followed with a layup by Jalen Burnett tying the game at 93. James Contreras Jr. gave the Cougars a two point lead with two free throws. Trey Bryant followed with two free throws of his own with 2:55 remaining in the second overtime. Moriba Diaby gave the Cougars a 4 point lead with 7 seconds remaining and the Averett Cougars held on for the win.

The Recap:

• Tyson Sellers finished the game with 30 points leading the Pacer's in scoring. He went 10-22 from the field.

• Trey Bryant finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double.

• Joshua Jones was a big threat from behind the arch and finished with 16 points.

The Foes:

• James Contreras Jr. finished the game with 26 points.

• Jalen Burnett finished with 19 points with 6 rebounds

• Moriba Diaby and Austin DeLucia scored 14 points.

The William Peace Pacers will be facing off against Greensboro College, as both teams compete for a spot in the Conference tournament. Greensboro College comes into Saturday's matchup (9-15) overall and (4-11) in the USA South.

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