Late Three-Pointer Propels Men's Basketball Over Bluefield

ATHENS, Tenn.- The men's basketball team used a late three-point basket to win an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) game on Monday. The team beat the Bluefield University Rams 87-85.

After racing out to a 5-0 lead off a three-pointer and a layup by Charles Neverdon, the game eventually became tied 7-7. Reshaun broke the tie with a three-pointer, and JJ Rueckert hit back-to-back layups to help the team lead 14-9. Neverdon broke another tie a few minutes later, hitting a three-pointer to push the team ahead 21-18. Zhaelin Callahan scored to give the team a 23-19 advantage, but the lead did not stick for TWU as the opponents led 24-23 at the midway point of the first half. A layup by Ty Runyan and a dunk by Omarion Barber helped the Bulldogs tie the game up 30-30 with five minutes left in the first half. Barber threw down another slam with 2:48 remaining, this time tying the game 40-40. Bluefield scored seven of the last nine points of the half to take a 47-42 lead into halftime. 

The opening minutes of the second half saw the opponents take their largest lead of the game of seven points, a score of 51-44. Hampton pulled the Bulldogs out of the hole, scoring seven straight points to tie the score at 51. After the tie, the lead changed 11 times through the remaining 17:08 of the game. The tenth lead change in that time span saw Bluefield eventually build an 81-76 advantage with 3:50 remaining in the game. With 49 seconds remaining in the game, Cuardado tied the game for the final time with a jumper, making the score 84-84. The team forced a turnover on the next Bluefield possession, and Rueckert found Hampton for an open three-pointer that swished in the net, putting the Bulldogs up 87-84 with 14 seconds left. Bluefield only scored one more point, giving Tennessee Wesleyan the two-point win.

Neverdon led the contest with 22 points to go along with 18 points and 10 rebounds by Cuardado, and 16 points by Hampton.

Up next for the Bulldogs (9-8, 8-5 AAC) is a road trip to face No. 13 University of Pikeville on Wednesday. The conference tilt is set for 7:30 p.m.