Box Score Postgame Interview with Coach McBride and AJ Williams - Williams' Game-winning three-pointer -
Game Highlights ATHENS, W. Va. – With the game tied and just 2.8 seconds remaining in regulation, junior guard A.J. Williams caught an inbounds pass from sophomore forward
Nick Moyer at half court, took two dribbles and released a shot at the buzzer that banked in to give the Concord University men's basketball team an 81-78 victory over Bluefield State Monday night in the Carter Center.
The game-winner capped off a spectacular night for Williams, who scored a career-high 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field in addition to a team-high eight rebounds. Williams was lethal from three-point range, making 4-of-5 attempts from distance.
The final 45 seconds of the game belonged to Williams. With Concord trailing by three points at 78-75, Williams pulled in a pass from junior guard
Mike Boyd and proceeded to drain a three-pointer from the corner to tie the contest at 78-78 with 34 seconds to play.
On the ensuing possession, sophomore forward
Terry Hopewell thwarted Bluefield State's go-ahead attempt with his sixth block of the night, the loose ball was quickly corralled by sophomore guard
Cam Shannon who called timeout with just seconds left to play to set up Williams' eventual game-winner.
The victory improved the Mountain Lions' record to 2-1 on the year. Bluefield State falls to 1-4 with the loss. The contest featured 11 lead changes and five ties.
Joining Williams in double figures for the Mountain Lions was Boyd with 19 points and freshman guard
Ali Barnes with 11. Boyd, who also dealt out a team-best five assists, was an efficient 7-for-11 from the field. Both Barnes and Boyd have scored at least 10 points in all three Concord games this season.
Hopewell's six blocks were the most by a Concord player since Romel Kemp blocked six shots at West Virginia Wesleyan on Feb. 1, 2012. Hopewell also chipped in seven points and six rebounds in the winning effort.
As a team, Concord shot an impressive 50.0 percent (31-for-62) from the field and 43.8 percent (7-for-16) from three-point range. The Mountain Lions held a 48-23 edge in bench points thanks to Williams, Barnes, sophomore forward
Taylor Smith (eight points) and freshman forward
Grant Dickinson (three points).
Treon Claiborne led Bluefield State with 21 points and five rebounds.
The Mountain Lions will now focus on their Mountain East Conference opener vs. Notre Dame College 4:00 p.m. Saturday at the Carter Center. Prior to the game, the court of the Carter Center will officially be named after former CU coaches Don Christie and
Steve Cox in a formal floor dedication.
