ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University men's basketball team got two big buckets from sophomore
David Bea Mulumba in the closing seconds as it clipped Bluefield State for an 86-83 win Monday night at the Carter Center.
Tied at 79-79 after a three-point play by senior guard
Tommy Bolte, the Mountain Lions (13-5) got a defensive stand as junior guard
Jair Rodgers forced a turnover. With less than 40 seconds left, Mulumba drifted to the top of the key where Bolte found the sophomore for a go-ahead three-pointer. Not to be outdone, BSC's Korey Williams was fouled while shooting a three-pointer and completed a four-point play to give the Blues (6-14) a one-point edge with 24 seconds left.
Out of a timeout, Bolte once again penetrated down the lane where he found Mulumba for the game-winning layup with seven seconds left. However, Mulumba's work wasn't done though as he sprinted down the floor to cause a deflection and a Bluefield State turnover. Rodgers was able to make two free throws with two seconds left to ensure a CU win.
The Mountain Lions controlled the first half, including opening the game on a 19-8 run in which they made five three-pointers. But, Bluefield State slowly chipped away at the deficit and was tied with Concord at halftime, 41-41. BSC kept its momentum into the second half as it outscored CU 19-12 over the first eight minutes. The Maroon and Gray was forced to chase the lead, and it wasn't until a Rodgers' three-pointer with 3:28 left in the contest that Concord led for the second time in the second half, 74-72.
Bolte led all scorers in the game with 25 points on 12-for-20 shooting and a 9-for-10 showing at the foul line. Bolte also added seven rebounds and four steals. Rodgers poured in 27 points as he shot 7-for-14 from the floor and went 10-for-10 at the charity stripe.
With five points in the final 38 seconds, Mulumba added 14 points to the scoring column.
CU wraps up its home stand as it plays Glenville State 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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