MISENHEIMER, N.C. - The fifth-seeded Brevard College men's basketball team (10-16) went on the road and defeated host Pfeiffer University (10-16), 90-84, in the First Round of the USA South Conference Men's Basketball Tournament played Tuesday night in Misenheimer, North Carolina.
The victory marked the program's first postseason win in the USA South Conference and the program's first postseason victory since the 2010 South Athletic Conference Tournament.
With the win, the Tornados advance to play top-seeded N.C. Wesleyan in the conference semifinals on Thursday night in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, with tip-off slated for 5:30 p.m.
Five players scored in double figures to lead BC's offensive charge.
Kavan Horton, the USA South Rookie of the Week each of the last two weeks, led the Tornados with a game-high 16 points, shooting 7-of-12 from the field. Horton, who also pulled down six rebounds and recorded three steals, has now scored in double figures in 10 of his last 14 games. The sophomore guard from Asheville, North Carolina has also grabbed five or more rebounds in nine of the last ten games.
Junior Chancey Watson came off the bench with a productive 14 points in 19 minutes, on 6-of-11 shooting, including a key 3-pointer down the stretch. Junior guard Carson Evans scored 12 points and dished out four assists. Freshman Jadon Carnes also posted 12 points, while grabbing six rebounds. Senior Quincy Carter hit three 3-pointers en route to 11 points, while also registering four assists.
The game started with a tight first half, featuring several lead changes and finding the two teams deadlocked at 30-30 with 4:43 to play. Less than three minutes later, a layup by junior Sly White, off an assist by Carter, stretched the Tornado lead to 39-32.
The Falcons answered with an 11-4 run to end the half as both teams headed to the intermission with the score tied 43-43.
Thin margins continued to separate the two squads in the second half as well. Pfeiffer took a 74-70 lead with 6:45 to play, however, the Tornados answered this time with back-to-back buckets by Watson and Carnes to tie the game once again at 74-74. A Horton layup followed by a Watson finish then punctuated an 8-0 run as BC stormed back ahead 78-74.
With just under three minutes remaining, Pfeiffer cut the lead to 81-78. Watson soon after drilled a 3-pointer to stretch the lead to seven points. A pair of made free throws cut the lead to three points once again with 48 seconds to play. Horton responded with a score to stretch the lead to 87-82. Made free throws by Evans and Carnes in the final 25 seconds then sealed the victory for Brevard.
In total, the wild affair featured 17 lead changes and 12 tied scores.
Brevard was tremendous in protecting the basketball with a season-low three turnovers committed for the entire game and just one turnover in the second half. BC recorded eight steals as a team, while Pfeiffer gave up 13 turnovers leading to 20 Brevard points. Moreover, BC outpaced the hosts 22-6 in fast-break points.
Brevard's bench, led by Watson, outscored Pfeiffer 37-17. BC made 52% of its shots from the field including nine 3-pointers. Pfeiffer shot 54%, yet made just six 3-pointers.
Brevard will advance to the USA South Conference Tournament Semifinals for the first time to be held Thursday at no. 1 seed N.C. Wesleyan. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. in Rocky Mount, North Carolina prior to the women's basketball semifinals featuring the same two schools at 7:30 p.m.
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-BC-