BOX SCORE

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Jerrell Wade's shot from outside half court lifted Ferrum College to an 82-79 USA South men's basketball win over North Carolina Wesleyan College tonight afternoon on the road.

The Bishops tied the game at 79-79 when Domarius Thomas was fouled and sank the back end of two free throws with 1:30 remaining.  The Bishops had two opportunities to win the game, but missed a pair of three-point shots by Trey Drake.

Ferrum's Keith Crump rebounded Drake's second miss and the Panthers called timeout with :03 left in regulation.  Wade took the inbounds pass, dribbled three steps and launched a a shot 10 feet short of half court, sinking the three-pointer at the buzzer.

Derek Mitchell led Ferrum with 16 points.  Crump and Marcus Mayo had 14 points each, while Wade finished with 12.  Crump also had seven assists and blocked a shot.

N.C. Wesleyan (14-11, 4-8 USA South) was led by Jarmel Arrington's 20 points.  Thomas had 19 points and six rebounds, while Adam Coleman had 15 points and seven rebounds.

Ferrum (14-11, 7-5 USA South) will compete in the upcoming USA South Tournament this week as the #3 seed.  The Panthers will host #6 Methodist University at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at Swartz Gym.  The game will be part of a doubleheader in which Ferrum's women are also the #3 seed in the USA South Tournament, and host #6 Methodist at 5:30 p.m.


2009 USA South Men's Basketball Tournament

Quarterfinals, 2/24/09 at Higher Seed
#2 Averett hosts #7 Greensboro, 7:30 p.m.
#3 Ferrum hosts #6 Methodist, 7:30 p.m.
#4 Shenandoah hosts #5 N.C. Wesleyan, 7:30 p.m.

Semifinals, 2/27/09 at CNU
#3/6 winner vs. #2/7 winner, 4 p.m.
#1 CNU vs. #4/5 winner, 8 p.m.

Championship, 2/28/09 at CNU
Semifinals winners, 4 p.m.