CLINTON, S.C. - The Presbyterian College men's basketball forced Winthrop to overtime and used a career-high 25 points from Khalid Mutakabbir (Suwanee, Ga.) and four consecutive free throws from Jay Reynolds (Marysville, Tenn.) in overtime to regain the lead and held on for the victory at home over the Eagles, 76-74.
With the scored ties 64-64 to force overtime, Josh Johnson (Hendersonville, Tenn.) sank a layup to briefly give the Blue Hose the advantage. A three pointer followed by a jumper for Winthrop gave them a 69-66 lead, but a layup by Pierre Miller (Warner Robbins, Ga.) cut it to within one point. After two good free throws from Reynolds, Winthrop went one for two from the line and was up by one, but after another foul Reynolds again sank both free throws with 1:04 remaining to give PC a 72-70 lead, and they would remain on top for the final minute. The Eagles threatened when they hit a three pointer to trail by one with 23 seconds left, but free throws helped down the line and the Blue Hose held on for the 76-74 win.
PC advances to 10-12 overall and a 4-6 standing in the Big South Conference. The Blue Hose were led by Mutakabbir's 25 points, while Jake Troyli (Largo, Fla.) contributed 22 points and a team-high nine rebounds. The Eagles fall to 9-11 and 5-5 in the conference. Winthrop had four players in double digits, led by Charles Corbin's 15 points.
PC was in control for most of the first half, leading by as many as nine points at the 8:28 mark off of a layup from Mutakabbir. Winthrop would use an 8-0 run to cut in the Blue Hose advantage and make the score 23-22 over the next five minutes, but PC stayed on top with help from two Mutakabbir baskets in the final two minutes. The Eagles hit a jumper with eight seconds to make the score 32-30 in favor of PC at half time.
In a second half that featured ten ties both teams battled to gain the advantage. Winthrop took their first lead of the game at 16:27 off a layup by Andre Jones, but a three pointer from freshman Tyler Deihl (Woodstock, Ga.) put PC back on top, 39-38. The teams traded the lead for the remainder of the half, but Winthrop took a three point lead with just under two minutes remaining. A layup from Troyli brought the Blue Hose within one, and after Winthrop hit one of two free throws with 37 seconds left Mutakabbir's jumper in the final seconds tied the score at 64-64 to force overtime.
The Blue Hose return to action on Tuesday when they travel to High Point. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
