Bishops win come-from-behind thriller over Pride, 79-78

Rocky Mount, NC - The men's basketball team of North Carolina Wesleyan overcame a 15-point deficit in the second half to steal a thrilling 79-78 victory over Greensboro College on Wednesday night in Everett Gymnasium.  Down 78-76 with 12 seconds left in regulation, sophomore Domarius Thomas (pictured) converted an old-fashioned three-point play to give the Bishops their first lead since the game's opening minutes, and Wesleyan went on to survive two last-second shots by the Pride to secure their seventh straight victory.

In the first half, the two squads fought through two ties and four lead changes before Greensboro pulled away thanks to a 13-3 run in the final minutes of the period. The Pride would take a 41-28 advantage into the break.

A short jumper by GC's R.J. Smith upped the Pride advantage to 15 points less than 10 seconds into the second half. Although the Bishops would cut the deficit to single digits on several occasions over the next nine minutes, the Pride again pushed their advantage to 10 points at 62-52 at the 11:11 mark.

Wesleyan put together a 13-6 run over the next five minutes to pull to within three with six minutes remaining, but Greensboro again responded with back-to-back baskets to go up seven. Just minutes later, a free throw by Smith gave GC a 75-68 lead at the 3:08 mark, and the Pride looked poised to pull the upset.

With Greensboro up 78-74 with 35 ticks left on the clock, however, the Bishops' Alex Murray grabbed a key offensive rebound. His successful putback pulled Wesleyan to within two, and the Bishops quickly fouled on the inbounds.  Two missed free throws by the Pride then set the stage for Thomas' heroics as senior guard Trey Drake delivered a perfect pass into the post for the lay-up and foul.

Now up 79-78, the Bishops blocked Greensboro's first attempt at the win but were unable to corral the rebound, giving GC one last shot. Pride freshman Chakiris Moss got a great look at the basket as time expired, but his baseline jumper rimmed out, igniting an improbable celebration in Everett Gym.

Thomas finished with 14 points, as did senior Jarmel Arrington, to pace five Bishops in double figures. Drake had 13, while Lamont Stokes and Murray chipped in 12 apiece. Murray completed the double-double with a game-high 13 rebounds.

For Greensboro, Smith had a career-high 25 points to go along with eight boards and eight assists.