MOUNT VERNON, Ga. – Overtime was needed to decide a winner, but it would be William Carey that would come out on top 86-80 over Brewton-Parker College Thursday night.
 
The game saw 11 ties and 13 lead changes but the biggest stat line of the game came the WCU bench, as they dropped 53 points.
 
Things went back and forth at the start, but back to back three points baskets by Earl Smith and James Williams put Carey ahead 21-12 with 13 minutes left in the half.  However, with under 10 minutes to play and the Crusaders leading 27-18, the Barons caught fire, going on a 13-0 run to take the lead with over six minutes left. 
Both teams once again traded shots over the final minutes of the half but a three pointer by Williams as time expired would give Carey a 41-40 lead heading into the break.
 
The second half saw much of the same battle along with WCU pulling away early to a 54-44 lead with over 14 minutes remaining.  However, just like before the Barons answered not with a huge run but slowly chipping away at the Carey lead. 
 
Over an eight minute span BPC battled their way back to tie the game at 65 and once again both teams went back and forth down the stretch.  With the Barons holding a 72-71 lead with under a minute to play Williams would be sent to the free throw line for a chance to put Carey ahead. 
 
However, he would only make one of the two free throws giving Brewton-Parker the ball with under 20 seconds remaining.  With time winding down, the WCU defense stepped up and forced the potential game winning shot to miss the mark sending the game into overtime.
 
The Crusaders got off to slow start in the overtime, finding themselves down 80-75 with three minutes left to play.  Carey would settle in and with a two point basket by Ashton Campbell a three pointer by Kolby Moore it would set the stage for James to cap off his stellar night with a three pointer to give the Crusaders the lead for good.
 
Emile Kazeneza led Carey with 16 points while James Williams scored a career high 15 points.
 
WCU is back in action Saturday, as they travel to Cochran, Ga. to take on Middle Georgia State in SSAC action.  Tip-off is slated for 1:00 pm.