BELMONT, N.C. — Ferrum College's men's basketball team won a thriller on the road, beating Belmont Abbey College 78-75 in overtime in Conference Carolinas action tonight at the Wheeler Center. The win is Ferrum's fifth straight dating back to December 17.

RECORDS
Ferrum 8-6, 6-2 CC
Belmont Abbey 5-9, 3-5 CC

THE BASICS
The two teams played evenly through the first 20 minutes, with Belmont Abbey owning a 37-34 lead at the break. Ferrum used a 13-2 run to open the second half, with Alfredo Abel-Rivera's layup at the 15:04 mark giving the Panthers a 47-39 lead.

After Gerren Jones hit a pair of free throws and Abel-Rivera converted a layup, the Panthers led 57-51 at the 8:50 mark. Later, with the game tied 60-60, Rodrigo Farias was fouled and sank a pair of free throws to put Ferrum on top 62-60 with 2:35 left in regulation. Abdulh Diaby hit a three-pointer with 57 seconds left to give Ferrum a 67-63 lead. BAC's Davis Franklin then hit a three-pointer, was fouled, and sank the ensuing free throw to send the game to overtime.

The two teams traded baskets to open overtime, then Diaby made a layup and Jones made two free throws to put the Panthers in front 75-71 with 2:30 left. Elijah Burnett hit a layup to pull Belmont Abbey within one, 76-75, with 1:28 remaining. Ferrum missed a layup at the other end of the floor, as did the Crusaders. Farias was fouled after pulling down the rebound off the missed BAC shot, then sank two free throws with no time showing on the clock for the final score.

KEY STATS
Ferrum: Farias 23 pts; Jones 16 pts; Amaris Hunt 15 pts; Abel-Rivera 12 pts, 10 reb; Diaby 10 pts
Belmont Abbey: Gabe Cerda 21 pts; Judah Ravenell 15 pts; Elijah Burnett 14 pts; Davis Franklin 10 pts

UP NEXT
Coach Patrick Corrigan's team will be back in action Saturday, January 17, at home against Southern Wesleyan University. The Conference Carolinas doubleheader is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. women's game, followed by a 4:00 p.m. men's tip-off.