FAYETTEVILLE – A 3-pointer with 20 seconds left by Shahmel Brackett gave UNCP its final lead of the ballgame, and a big block by fellow junior George Blakeney with one second remaining preserved the lead to give UNCP a 75-73 victory over Fayetteville State in nonconference action on Tuesday evening at Felton J. Capel Arena in Fayetteville. 

The win puts the Braves (2-1) back into the win column, and gave them their first come-from-behind victory of the season after rallying from as much as eight points down in the second half to pull out a victory in a game that featured 12 tie scores and 22 lead changes. The UNCP defense held tight down the stretch in keeping FSU (1-1) from scoring a field goal through the last 3:41 of action, and a desperation lob attempt with 0.3 seconds remaining after Blakeney's block fell short of the mark to keep the two-point lead intact.

UNCP was again troubled by turnovers after committing 19, but another big rebounding advantage (39-to-25) gave the Braves a 17-to-10 advantage on second-chance points.  The Braves also finished 8-of-17 (47.1 percent) on long range shots despite two fewer field goals and a lower team shooting percentage than FSU.

Brackett led all scorers, and three Braves in double figures, with 21 points on 6-of-12 shooting from the field, including 4-of-6 from downtown. Marcus Heath added 13 points on an efficient 4-of-6 shooting effort, including 3-of-5 from 3-point land. Blakeney added 10 points and two blocks, none bigger than the second, and he also tied for the team lead with five rebounds. Heath and K.J. Cooper matched Blakeney with five rebounds of their own, while Nathan Priest and Griffin Pittman each swiped two steals in the win.

The Broncos were led by Michael Carpenter, who recorded 14 points on 4-of-13 shooting on the night. John Herrington added 12 points on a perfect 6-fot-6 effort from the floor while Tim Plummer rounded out the Broncos in double figures with 10 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field. 

The Braves will look to build off the win on Thursday when they travel for a matchup with Division I foe UNC Greensboro at the Greensboro Coliseum at 7 p.m.