MOBILE, Ala. – The William Carey Men's Basketball Team pulled off the upset with an 81-80 overtime victory over #16 Mobile Tuesday night at Pharr Gym.
 
The Crusaders got off to a hot start, building an 11-2 lead four minutes into the contest before making it 21-8 with 12 minutes left.  However, over those 12 minutes, UM slowly chipped away at the WCU lead eventually tying the game at 37 with under a minute to play before taking a three point lead into the break.
 
Both teams went to work coming out of the break as neither team led by more five points for the first 10 minutes of the half.  With the score tied at 55 all, it looked as if the Carey seized control, as four different Crusaders scored 11 straight points.  However just like the first half the Rams slowed the WCU offense eventually cutting the deficit to 71-70 with a minute to play. 
 
A Kaeden Laws layup would put Carey back up by three setting up the final plays of the game.  With less than 30 seconds left, Mobile's Treylan Smith would be fouled on a three point shot attempt and would go on to make all three free throws tying the game once again with under 20 seconds left to play.  With time winding down and Carey with the ball the Crusaders would have one last chance to seal the victory but the last second attempt by Earl Smith was off the mark sending the game into overtime.
 
In the overtime period things remained tight as both teams took turns with the lead on multiple occasions.  A free throw by the Rams with under 30 seconds play would put Mobile up 80-79.  The Carey offense would not waiver and with less than 10 seconds remaining, Ashton Campbell would drive to the basket and sink the layup to put the Crusaders up 81-80.  Now it was the Carey defense that would need to step up and hold the lead and they would do just that, as they forced the last second shot attempt by the Rams to miss the mark, preserving the win.
 
Earl Smith led five Crusaders in double figures finishing with 18 points and eight rebounds.  Kaeden Laws and Ankerion Gross each added with 15 points.  Dylan Brumfield chipped in 14 points while pulling down eight rebounds with Ashton Campbell finished with 10 points.
 
WCU is back in action Saturday, December 2, as they take on Dalton State in SSAC action.  Tip-off is slated for 2:00 pm at Clinton Gym.