Hawks lose to N.C. Wesleyan on last-second 3-pointer

By Chuck Tidmore

Sports Information Assistant 

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon men's basketball team battled conference leader North Carolina Wesleyan down to wire on Sunday, losing 73-72 as the Battling Bishops hit a 3-pointer with one second remaining.

The Hawks (8-13, 1-9 USA South) kept the game close through most of the first half and trailed by as many as 12 points before a Jaeison Jefferson 3-pointer made it a nine point game, 38-29, going into halftime.

The Battling Bishops (15-6, 8-2 USA South) held on to the lead until a 14-1 run by the Hawks gave them a 66-62 lead with 7:33 remaining in the game. Both teams traded the lead for the remainder of the game.

Andre Ashley hit a pair of free throws to give Huntingdon a two point lead with 50 seconds remaining. Huntingdon held strong on defense, denying multiple attempts by the visitors. A jump-ball called with seven seconds left gave N.C. Wesleyan one final chance on offense. The Bishops hit a 3-pointer and sealed the win.

"It was tough loss," Huntingdon head coach Mike Pugh said. "These kids deserved better. They left everything out on the floor and it was a great game considering we were playing the No. 1 team in the conference. I was really proud of our guys today."

Senior Raheem Berry had a career-high 26 points on Sunday. Berry finished 10-of-19 from the field and grabbed five rebounds.

Ashley recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman Brandon McLean scored seven points and pulled down 12 rebounds and blocked three shots.

Senior Dantavius Washington came off the bench and scored 10 points and had five rebounds.

Huntingdon will host Maryville College on Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

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