BOX SCORE
ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Ferrum College grabbed a late lead, but could not hold on as North Carolina Wesleyan College claimed the USA South regular season crown and No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament with a nail-biting 74-71 triumph.
The first seven minutes of the contest went back-and-forth with neither team gaining an advantage larger than three. The Bishops mounted a nine-point advantage, 33-24, following a Justin Griffith jumper.
However, the hosts saw its lead dwindle to four, 35-31, with 2:41 remaining in the first stanza, complementary of a Marcus Mayo trey. Mayo finished with a team-high 21 points and a game-high 10 boards to post his first double-double of the season.
NC Wesleyan managed a 39-33 edge going into the locker room.
Trailing 50-43 with 13:55 showing on the clock, the Panthers (21-4, 10-2 USA South) mounted a 12-4 surge, capped by a Keith Crump jumper, to finally take the lead, 55-54.
Daryl Hart's dunk at the 6:44 mark gave Ferrum its largest lead, 60-56, but the Bishops (19-6, 11-1 USA South) had an answer. The hosts used a 10-1 run to regain the lead, 66-61, with 2:50 remaining.
Derek Mitchell tied the game, 69-69, by converting one of two free throws with 31 ticks remaining. On the next possession, Matt Dougherty drained a shot from downtown to seal the deal for NCW.
Mayo failed on his attempt to tie the game and Ferrum was forced to foul. Devin Nichols connected on both free throws to stake a five-point cushion with four seconds left. Lamont King's dunk provided the final margin in the tough loss.
Hart and Nick English each crossed into double figures with 10 points apiece for the Black and Gold.
Dougherty posted a game-high 22 points, including 5 of 6 from three-point range. Damarius Thomas and Ric Yarbrough registered 13 and 11 points, respectively, for the Bishops.
Coach Bill Tharp's squad awaits the USA South tournament seeds and pairings, which will be announced by tomorrow, Feb. 20. Ferrum will host a quarterfinal contest on Tuesday, Feb. 22, as part of a doubleheader; the women's game starts at 5:30 p.m.
