PEMBROKE – UNCP amassed nearly 400 yards of total offense and took advantage of five Webber International turnovers and the Braves celebrated Homecoming in Pembroke with a 31-21 victory Saturday afternoon at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Field.

Brandon McLaurin tallied his second consecutive 100-yard game on the ground in keying a 190-yard rushing attack for the Braves (3-3) who also got 144 yards through the air on 8-of-16 passing by quarterback Cory Smith. Webber International (2-4) running back Taylor Atwood rushed 29 times for 155 yards and a pair of scores to highlight the offense for the visitors.

James Littlejohn turned in a team-leading tackle total for the second-straight game, this time registering 10 solo tackles, two tackles for loss and a key sack. John Stokes was equally as impressive on the stop unit for UNCP with nine solo stops himself. Placekicker Andrew Williams accounted for seven points himself on the day, converting on all four extra-point attempts, while also adding a clutch 31-yard field goal late in the contest.

“I really challenged them at halftime to hold the lead and I was very pleased to see that happen,” said UNCP head coach Pete Shinnick. “We played a lot better on special teams today and I was happy to see that as well. I am very happy for our coaches and our players to be able to put (wins) together back-to-back.

“We could have gotten frustrated two weeks ago when we were putting in all the hard work and not seeing the results, but I am very pleased with the way they have fought back these last two weeks to put us where we are.”

The Braves did not waste much time in making things happen, forcing a fumble on the opening kickoff and following with a 4-play, 41-yard drive that gave them a 7-0 lead just less than two minutes in. However, Webber International scored the next 14 points to take a lead of its own, first putting together a 4-play, 41-yard drive on the ensuing possession, then using an 89-yard punt return by Jamarcus Watkins to take a 14-7 lead.

The Braves would respond on the ensuing possession when Keith Farrington culminated a 4-play, 63-yard drive with a 28-yard touchdown reception from Smith, and then took its lead back seven seconds later when Troy Russell intercepted Andrew Carr's pass on the opening play of the next possession and raced 29 yards down the near sideline for the go-ahead score. The 21-14 score would hold up until the halftime break.

Atwood's 5-yard rushing touchdown midway through the third quarter would be answered on a 1-yard plunge by Smith before the end of the period. The Black and Gold would add insurance points with six minutes and some change left in the fourth quarter on Williams' field goal.

UNCP will be back in action again on Saturday when the Braves entertain West Virginia Wesleyan (2-4) at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. The Bobcats dropped a 43-14 decision at Seton Hill on Saturday.