Wesleyan hoops season ends in double OT heartbreaker

Rocky Mount, NC - North Carolina Wesleyan's bid at its first NCAA Tournament berth since 2002 came to an end on Saturday in a heartbreaking 108-105 double overtime loss to top-seeded Averett University in the 2007 USA South Tournament Championship.  The 6th-seeded Bishops, who were attempting to seal the fourth tournament crown in the program's history, overcame a 10-point halftime deficit and led by as many as 13 in regulation before the Cougars were able to force the extra periods. 

Junior Lenny Hall (pictured) tied a career high with 38 points, while Adam Coleman notched a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds.  For their efforts, both were named to the All-Tournament team.

After watching their 48-38 halftime lead turn into a 13-point deficit in the second half, the Cougars (20-6) clawed their way back into the game and trailed 85-79 with only 30 seconds to play in regulation. AU's Shaun Hagwood then hit what was arguably the biggest shot of his playing career when he knocked down a three-pointer in the corner and drew the foul. He calmly completed the four-point play to pull Averett to within two at 85-83.

Moments later, Wesleyan committed a crucial turnover that gave the Cougars an opportunity to tie the game with 27 seconds remaining. Following a Cougar timeout, Jonathan Rumley converted a jumper to knot the game at 85-85 and send it into overtime.

The Cougars never led in the first overtime. Hall's lay-up and free throw at the 3:09 mark completed the three-point play a gave the Bishops a 94-89 lead.  Hagwood, however, again answered for the Cougars, netting yet another three-pointer to trim the lead to 94-92.

After trading baskets, Averett remained in a two-point hole with 30 seconds left on the clock. Damien Brown then tipped in a Lymon Gregory miss with 18 seconds left to once again tie the game at 96-96 and force a second extra stanza.

Wesleyan managed to pull ahead in the second overtime, 105-102, with 2:34 remaining.  Unfortunately for the Bishops, they would not score again. Rumley's two free throws and Hagwood’s layup with 38 seconds left gave the Cougars a 106-105 advantage that they would not relinquish.

For Averett, Brown scored 24 points and tallied 11 rebounds en route to Most Valuable Player honors. Rumley and Dimitri Braakman each added 14.

In addition to Hall's 38 and Coleman's double-double, Jarvis Cobb and Trey Drake added 25 and 18 points, respectively, for Wesleyan. As a team, the Bishops knocked down 16 three-pointers, tying the single-game team record set in 2001 against Ferrum.

Wesleyan ends the 2006-07 season with a 12-15 record.