Pfeiffer Overcomes Brevard in Overtime, 94-87

Misenheimer, N.C. (Jan. 18, 2020) – Pfeiffer University outscored visiting Brevard College 15-8 in overtime to take the 94-87 USA South win on Saturday afternoon in Merner Gym.

After being up 34-31 at halftime, Pfeiffer and visiting Brevard battled toe-to-toe throughout much of the second half, with neither team able to build a lead larger than five points in the half.  That five point lead came at the 14:27 mark when Pfeiffer's Craig Sabb (Goose Creek, S.C.) converted a layup to give the Falcons the 48-43 lead.

Brevard would tie the game for the sixth time at 8:53 when Levi Lamb knocked down a three-pointer knotting the game at 54-54.

The Tornados would bolt to a 79-75 lead with 1:29 left after another three-pointer, this one by Mike Williams.  Pfeiffer's Jamaal David (Clinton, Md.) sank a pair of free throws to pull to within 79-77.  After the two teams traded misses, Tyjarek Simmons (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) earned a foul and hit his free throw opportunities to tie the game at 79-79, the ninth of the game, with 11 seconds left. 

Following a Brevard timeout, their potential game-winning shot was no good, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra frame, Pfeiffer quickly built the four point lead (86-82) following another basket from Sabb at 3:31.  Sabb then added a pair of free throws at 3:01 and following a Brevard three pointer, he hit another pair at 1:46 to give the Falcons the 90-87 lead.

After a Brevard turnover, Sean Scott (Waldorf, Md.) hit a free throw at 1:31.  The exclamation point came with 40 seconds to go, when David beat his man while driving left and throwing down a one-handed dunk to send the Merner Gym crowd into a frenzy and extending the Falcon lead to 93-87.  Another Scott free throw with 23 seconds left provided the eventual 94-87 final.

Four Falcons scored in double-figures, led by Simmons' 27 points.  He also added five rebounds, an assist and four steals. Sabb had 19 point and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the line while Sean Scott just missed a double-double, going for 16 points and nine rebounds.  David rounded out the scoring, going for 10 points and controlling 14 rebounds for the double-double.  That marks the fourth double-double of the year for David and the 10 points extends his double-figure scoring streak to seven games.

Levis Lamb hit six three-pointers, scoring 30 points to lead Brevard. Cannon Lamb added 15 points, Mike Williams had 12 and Messiah Pankey scored 10 points for the Tornados.

The win improves Pfeiffer to 8-7 overall and 3-4 in USA South play while Brevard sinks to 3-12 overall and 2-6 in league play.

Pfeiffer will head to league foe Methodist on Tuesday night for a 7:30 p.m. game with the Monarchs.