Saturday, January 13, 2007

BREVARD BEATS TUSCULUM 68-67 IN THRILLER

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Jonathan Whitson recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, while notching the winning points on a pair of free throws with 13 seconds remaining as Brevard College edged host Tusculum College 68-67 Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Arena.

The Tornados improve to 5-10 overall, while the Pioneers (7-8) suffer its fifth straight loss and ending an eight-game home winning streak against non-conference opponents. The contest was a close one throughout as the lead changed hands 17 times, including 11 in the second half alone. The game was also tied on 10 occasions.

Brevard's Cory McAlpin added 16 points, while Nathan Whitmire finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Tusculum was led by junior Jordan Lear's 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting, including four 3-pointers. Lear also accounted for six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals. Senior Chris Poore tallied 13 points and six rebounds in the loss.

Tusculum, which led 34-26 at halftime, moved out to its biggest advantage of the afternoon at 41-32 following a lay-up by Poore at the 15:44 mark. BC answered with a 13-3 spurt capped by a Whitson three-pointer as the Tornados led 45-44 with 12:28 left on the clock. Brevard increased its lead to five (53-48) following back-to-back three-pointers by McAlpin and Nino Hertogs.

TC rallied back with nine straight points as Lear scored a three-point play and later canned a three-pointer. Freshman Jimmy Boone tallied a three-pointer and Poore posted a lay-up as TC went up 59-53 with 6:46 remaining. TC increased its lead to 62-58 following a Lear three-pointer, but Shane Galloway converted a three-point play as BC went on a 5-0 run to regain the lead 63-62 with 2:26 left.

TC senior Eric Williams made a pair of free throws with 1:55 remaining as the Pioneers led again 64-63, but on the next possession, McAlpin hit a three-pointer at the top of the key to move the Tornados up 66-64 with 1:26 left.

The two teams exchanged turnovers and with 36 seconds left, Poore hit a leaning 12-foot jumper in the lane and was fouled. He made the free throw as Tusculum led again 67-66.

Brevard worked its way for a good shot as Whitson got free in the lane and was fouled. Whitson made both free throws to move up 68-67 with 13 seconds remaining. Tusculum's 3-pointer with four seconds left was off target as Whitson came down with the rebound with less than one second remaining to preserve the win.

The Tornados recorded 10 treys on the night, including six in the second half as a team.

Tusculum has played in nine games this season that have been decided by 10 points or less. Six of its last seven outings have been decided by four points or fewer.

Tusculum returns to South Atlantic Conference play Wednesday night at Carson-Newman College for an 8 p.m. contest at Holt Field House.

- TC -