HATTIESBURG, Miss. – The Crusaders stormed back from a ten-point second-half deficit to defeat Dillard University 91–85 in overtime Tuesday night at Clinton Gym.


Randarius Hughes opened the scoring for WCU, and Jamar Jenkins followed with four straight points to put Carey up 7–0 just two minutes into the game. A minute later, a three-pointer by Javeon Gordon stretched the lead to 10–2, but back-to-back threes by Dillard quickly cut the margin to two.


After a brief offensive slowdown, the Bleu Devils used a 10–1 run over a six-minute stretch to take an 18–11 lead. Carey responded with a pair of free throws, then three-pointers from Gordon and Jenkins to retake a 19–18 advantage midway through the half.


The teams traded buckets until a three-pointer by Tyler Wiley put Dillard back on top. The Bleu Devils then stretched their lead to 38–28 with three minutes remaining. The Crusaders fought back, closing the half on a 9–2 run while holding Dillard scoreless from the field, making it 40–37 at the break.


Less than two minutes into the second half, Gordon tied the game with a three. But Dillard answered again, rebuilding its lead to 60–50 after six minutes of play.


Carey trimmed the deficit to 61–58, only for Dillard to push it back to 70–61 with eight minutes remaining. The Crusaders stayed within striking distance, repeatedly getting back within five. A jumper by Arzika Seibou made it 75–72 with three minutes on the clock.


With just over a minute remaining, Anthony Robinson poked the ball loose, dove to the floor, and from his back fired a pass ahead to Makeem Roberts for a breakaway layup to tie the game at 77. Dillard answered with a layup by Ben Fort. After two missed free throws by WCU and a missed three by Dillard, Robinson sank a pair at the line to tie it again at 79 with 15 seconds left. Another missed three by the Bleu Devils left six seconds remaining. Robinson pushed the ball up the court and tried to hit Gordon in the corner, but the pass deflected off Gordon's hands, giving Dillard one last chance. The Bleu Devils attempted a baseball pass the length of the floor, but Hughes intercepted it to send the game to overtime.


In overtime, the teams continued trading blows until a pair of free throws by Hughes put Carey up 87–83 with just over a minute remaining. From there, the Crusader defense took over, limiting Dillard to only two free throws the rest of the night.


Jenkins led five Crusaders in double figures with 22 points, while Hughes added 14 points and nine rebounds. Gordon finished with 12, with Roberts and Troy Dunn contributing 11 and 10, respectively.


Carey returns to action Thursday, November 6, when they travel to New Orleans to face Southern University at New Orleans. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.