HATTIESBURG, Miss. — Overtime was required before William Carey pulled away for a 92–83 victory over Mobile.
"Glad we came out on top of another overtime game with a victory," said Assistant Coach Phillip McCray. "Our guys started off slow but picked it up to eventually overcoming the deficit and battled our way out of a tough situation that we created. This one required big minute players to make plays for both teams. It also required fighting through fatigue and adversity. We did both. I just wish it didn't take 45 minutes of play, but we'll take a win however we can get it. Proud of these young men."
Mobile jumped out early after William Carey took a brief opening lead. Dayton Richardson's three put the Rams ahead 17–10 with 13 minutes left in the first half. William Carey chipped away, and
Troy Dunn's layup with under ten minutes to play cut the deficit to three, but Mobile responded with a 12–2 run to build a 33–20 advantage.
The Crusaders fought back late in the half. A
Malik Franklin layup, a steal by
Makeem Roberts, and a three from
Jamar Jenkins sparked a 13–0 run that brought William Carey within 43–41, but Mobile took a 46–41 lead into the break.
William Carey opened the second half strong. Three different Crusaders combined for a 9–0 run in the first three minutes to give WCU its first lead since the opening minutes. The teams traded runs over the next stretch; Mobile regained a 60–57 lead before Roberts drilled a three to tie it, and Mobile answered with five straight to take a 65-60 lead midway through the period.
Mobile pushed the margin to 71–64 with about six minutes left, but Carey stormed back. Roberts' layup with under four minutes to play capped a 9-0 run to put WCU ahead 73–71. The closing minutes were a back-and-forth scramble: Jarvis Moss for UM traded baskets with Roberts. Moss hit a big three with under a minute remaining to put Mobile up 77–75, but Roberts tied the game at the line and strong defensive stops by both teams sent the game to overtime.
Overtime started evenly, but the Crusaders separated with an 8–0 run fueled by six made free throws. The Rams cut the gap to 87–83 with under a minute left, but William Carey closed the game on a five-point burst to secure the win.
Troy Dunn led William Carey with 22 points.
Malik Franklin added 20,
Makeem Roberts recorded a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds, and
Javeon Gordon contributed 10 points.
Randarius Hughes grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds.
William Carey returns to action Thursday, January 15, at Thomas University in Thomasville, Ga. Tip-off is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
