Box Score

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. -- Ferrum College erased a 13-point second-half deficit to force overtime, before falling 74-70 in the 2011 USA South Men's Basketball Tournament championship game to North Carolina Wesleyan College.

The Panthers trailed 55-42 with 7:22 left in the second half, but closed the half with a 23-10 run.  With :08 showing on the clock and the Panthers down 65-62, USA South Player of the Year Derek Mitchell made a jumper, was fouled and converted the three-point play at the line to knot the score at 65-65.

N.C. Wesleyan's Alex Murray turned the ball over with four seconds left to play and the Panthers had one last shot to win the game in regulation.  Keith Crump's long three-point attempt was off the mark and the game went into overtime.

Over two minutes transpired before a point was scored in overtime, with Murray making a layup for the Bishops.  Lamont King answered right back for Ferrum with a layup to tie the game at 67-67 with 2:42 left.

Murray would make one of two free throws, followed by Crump making one of two for Ferrum and the game was tied again at 68-68 with 1:14 left.  Domarius Thomas then converted a layup, followed by two Murray free throws to give the Bishops a 72-68 edge with :40 left.  Crump took the ball the length of the floor and cut the lead to two points with a layup at the :30 mark.  Josh Morrison and Matt Dougherty each made one of two free throws down the stretch for the final count.

Mitchell led Ferrum with 22 points and 19 rebounds, both game-high totals. Marcus Mayo (Rockbridge County) had 14 points and Crump had 11.  Mitchell and Mayo represented Ferrum on the All-Tournament Team.  Alex Murray and Domarius Thomas had 15 points each for the Bishops.

With the win, N.C. Wesleyan (21-6) claimed the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Division III Tournament.   The Panthers (23-5) must wait until Monday afternoon to see if the NCAA selection committee awards them an at-large bid.