By Devin McCullough
On Saturday afternoon at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court, USC Beaufort defeated UNC Pembroke 81-80 thanks to a spectacular layup that beat the buzzer. Despite a solid offensive effort spearheaded by senior guard Javonte Waverly, the Braves fell to 3-3 on the season, while the Sand Sharks improved to 5-1.
Both sides exchanged baskets and momentum shifts in the first half, setting the stage for a closely contested game. Waverly’s early three-pointer gave UNC Pembroke the lead, but USC Beaufort immediately rallied with seven points from Dylan Lewis and Evan Kilminster to put the visitors ahead. Midway through the half, the Sand Sharks led 20-15 thanks to a 6-0 run, but the Braves rallied and tied the score at 28 thanks to another triple by Waverly. Even though Quay Watson’s late layup held the Braves within one, Lukas Platauna’s three-pointer in the final seconds gave USC Beaufort a 41-40 lead at the half.
The Braves came out strong in the second half, as Watson delivered a steal and a three-pointer in the opening seconds to reclaim the lead. Kilminster answered for USC Beaufort, and the teams continued to battle in a back-and-forth half. Moe Bangura sparked an 11-3 Braves run that stretched their lead to 70-57 with just over eight minutes remaining, capped by a jumper from Nygell Verdier. However, the Sand Sharks mounted an impressive 15-2 run to tie the game at 72 entering the final minutes. Although UNCP surged back ahead on a Bangura layup and another three-pointer from Waverly, the game came down to the final possession. Waverly’s free throws put the Braves up by one, but Kilminster’s layup at the buzzer sealed an 81-80 victory for USC Beaufort.
Waverly scored a game-high 24 points, went a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line, grabbed five rebounds, and provided two assists despite the defeat. Bangura added 12 points, four rebounds, and two steals, while Joe’l Pettiford scored 13 points on effective 4-for-5 shooting and pulled down five rebounds. The Braves made 16 second-chance points, shot 45.6 percent from the field, and made 20 of 27 free throws. USC Beaufort responded with a potent offensive performance, making 51.7 percent of their shots from the field.
UNC Pembroke will look to bounce back as they close out the Thanksgiving Tournament against Shaw.