HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The William Carey Men's Basketball Team held off a late rally to defeat Dalton State College 86-83 Saturday afternoon at Clinton Gym.
 
Carey go off to a hot start, as four different Crusaders scored to give WCU an 8-0 lead to open the game.  DSC would settle down and would manage to get within five points with 13 minutes left in the first half.  However, that would be as close as they would get, as the WCU offense caught fire again stretching their lead to as many as 16 before taking a 43-30 lead into the break.
 
Things went back and forth for the majority of the second half but with under sic minutes to play the Roadrunners started to make their move.  With Carey leading 71-63, Dalton State went on an 11-4 run to get within one points with two minutes left. 
 
The Crusader offense dug deep with Ashton Campbell and Dylan Brumfield combined on a 6-1 run to put Carey up 81-75 with under a minute to play.  WCU would seal the win by going 5 for 6from the free throw line.
 
Earl Smith led for Crusaders in double figures with 23 points and 10 rebounds with Dylan Brumfield adding 16 points.  Ashton Campbell chipped in 14 points with Ankerion Gross finished with 12 points.
 
WCU is back in action Tuesday, December 5, as they take on Southern University of New Orleans in non-conference action.  Tip-off is slated for 7:00 pm at Clinton Gym.