February 14, 2008

Boxscore

LAURINBURG, N.C.—St. Andrews Presbyterian College had two chances to take the lead or tie the game in the final 10 second of the first overtime but both shots just missed and the visiting Queens University of Charlotte men’s basketball team survived a 66-64 Conference Carolinas overtime battle in Harris Court on Valentine’s Day.

Sophomore John Thompson (Columbia, S.C.) scored 11 of his game-high 17 points in the second half and overtime to lead the Royals (15-7 Overall; 10-5 Conference Carolinas) to the narrow victory. Senior Marcus Hoke and junior Joseph Gripper – both from Charlotte, North Carolina -- each had 15 points for the Knights (5-18; 4-12).

A Gripper lay-up with 18 seconds left in regulation broke a late tie and gave St. Andrews a 57-55 lead but a junior Andre Lockhart (St. James, Barbados) basket with eight ticks remaining tied the contest for the eighth time sending the game into the extra period.

In overtime, freshman Reggie Hopkins (Gastonia, N.C.) broke a 59-59 tie at the 3:36 mark with a three-pointer that put the visitors on top for good. After a Thompson lay-in, Queens continued to lead by three heading into the final 90 seconds but a pair of made free throws by senior Bradley Hippolyte (Brooklyn, N.Y.) pulled the Knights to within one (65-64) heading into the final minute.

Both teams missed their next shot forcing St. Andrews to foul. After being fouled, Lockhart made his second attempt from the charity stripe with 24 seconds to go. The Knights then took some time off the clock looking for the open shot and finally finding senior Jeff Worley (Charlotte, N.C.) in the left corner for a baseline three-pointer but the shot was just off it mark. A jump ball was called on the ensuing rebound and St. Andrews was awarded possession. Once again, Worley ended up the ball and his difficult runner in the paint just rattled out.

The Knights stayed in the game with a strong shooting performance. SAPC shot 51.0-percent from the field while Queens was 40.7%. However, the Royals dominated the glass with a 38-25 rebounding advantage including 17 second-effort points on 13 offensive rebounds. QUC also went 5-for-6 from the floor in overtime while St. Andrews was only 1-for-5 in OT.

Thompson finished with a double-double with a game-high 11 rebounds. Freshman Lamont King (Roxboro, N.C.) bucketed 16 points and pulled down six boards for Queens while Hopkins added 13 points. Senior Akeem Miskdeen (Chicago, Ill.) dished out a game-high five assists.

Gripper and Hoke led a quartet of Knights in double-digits with 15 points apiece. Hippolyte followed with 12 and junior Charles Phillips drained 11. Phillips had a team-high six rebounds while Gripper and Hoke each added five boards.

Hoke and Hopkins led their respective clubs with a trio of three-pointers apiece.

The two teams battled tightly throughout with a total of 13 lead changes and nine ties. St. Andrews held the largest lead of the game when they started the epic league showdown with an 8-0 run.

St. Andrews next travels Conference Carolinas foe Limestone College (Gaffney, S.C.) on Saturday while Queens entertains Anderson University on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to tip-off at approximately 7:30 p.m.