JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Ryan Horton's 19-yard touchdown pass to Rangel Moore with 55 seconds left trimmed a 17-point third quarter deficit down to just three, but Edward Waters held on to defeat visiting UNCP, 31-28, Saturday afternoon at Earl Kitchings Stadium.

UNCP (3-5) was held to just 66 yards rushing (30 carries) on the day, while the Tigers (3-5) found the ground more friendly with 245 rushing yards on 41 attempts. Trentt Stewart provided a bulk of the attack for EWC, rushing 18 times for 183 yards and a trio of touchdowns, while also tallying a receiving score as well.

Horton threw for one score and ran for another to offset 7-of-21 passing with a trio of interceptions, with starter Cory Smith accounting for 145 yards and a third quarter score on 16-of-26 passing.

Reigning ICAA offensive player of the week Tim McCaskill caught four passes for 54 yards to lead the UNCP receiving corps. Brandon McLaurin anchored the rushing game with 45 yards on 18 carries.

Brandon Arrington led the Braves defense with 6-1/2 tackles. Dewayne James tallied 3-1/2 tackles, including a first half sack that pushed him into a tie for the team lead in that category with fellow lineman James Littlejohn.

Edward Waters engineered a pair of 59-yard-plus scoring drives in the opening period to grab a quick 14-0 lead, before the Braves finally answered on a 1-yard scoring plunge by Rashon Kennedy with 55 seconds left in the first quarter.

After the Tigers put together an 11-play, 69-yard scoring drive to push its lead back to 14 points, 21-7, with just more than three minutes gone in the second quarter, UNCP would answer with time waning down in the half. Facing a short third down situation with less than a minute to play, Horton was forced out of the pocket, but scrambled for a 23-yard touchdown that brought the Black and Gold to within seven, 21-14, with 39 seconds still showing on the game clock.

Edward Waters would get the momentum back heading into the half, however, using a pair of Kamau Leitner passes, as well as a crucial personal foul penalty by UNCP, on the ensuing drive to set Nadens Madeus up for a 30-yard field goal as time ran out.

The hosts got a 54-yard scoring gallop from Stewart three minutes into the second half to cushion their advantage out to 31-14 before the Braves would mount the comeback. Smith's scoring strike to Justin Ruffin on the ensuing possession would bring the score to 31-21 and Moore's touchdown catch would pull the Braves to within three late in the game.

The Tigers would seal the deal a short time later, though, when Andrew William's onside kick attempt found its way out of bounds.

UNCP will close out the home portion of its 2007 schedule on Saturday when the Braves suit up to host Faulkner (1-6) at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Field. Kickoff has been set for 1 p.m.