AIKEN, S.C. – Two free throws with eight seconds remaining by sophomore Shahmel Brackett propelled the UNCP Braves to the championship game of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament with a stunning 69-68 victory over Georgia Southwestern in the semifinal round on Saturday evening at the Convocation Center in Aiken, S.C.

The Braves (18-10) advance to play fifth-ranked Augusta State in Sunday's championship game, the first time a UNCP squad will take part in the championship round of the tournament. The victory once again sets a new record for wins in a season by a UNCP program since the school moved to the NCAA Division II ranks prior to the 1992-93 campaign, and moves the Braves to 3-0 on the USC Aiken floor during the 2010-11 campaign. 

"These guys have achieved a lot of firsts for this program - most wins since joining Division II. It's great to be playing, but we expected to be playing this time of year," said UNCP head coach Ben Miller. "We have come a long with our defense and rebounding, and we are starting to take better care of the basketball. With that coming together, I like how we are playing right now. It's neat to have an opportunity to compete with Augusta State for the championship because they have set the standard for the league over the years."

The two teams went shot-for-shot through most of the first half with both teams connecting on 12 field goals, committing eight turnovers, and UNCP heading into the break with a 36-33 lead. UNCP shot 41.4 percent from the floor while the Hurricanes finished the first have with a 42.9 shooting percentage.

The second half started much like the first, with teams trading possessions and baskets through the first 8:59 of the second half before Georgia Southwestern took its first lead of the game, 43-44, on a layup by PBC Freshman of the Year Colin Slotter. 

With 7:44 remaining in the game and UNCP up 51-50, two made free throws by PBC Player of the Year Phillip Brown would put Georgia Southwestern up 52-51, but layups by sophomore George Blakeney and senior Chris Hargrove would put the Braves back up 55-52 with 6:18 remaining in the game.

A 3-point basket by the Hurricanes' Bobby Glover would put Georgia Southwestern up 61-60 with 2:34 to go in the second half, but Blakeney would answer on the next possession with a reverse layup to put UNCP on top 63-62. A jumper by Brown again put the Hurricanes up front, 63-62, and a turnover by UNCP and a layup at the other end by Trayce Macon would add to the GSW lead and put them up 65-62 with 1:10 to go.

A made free throw by Evan Mobley left the 'Canes with a 66-62 advantage, but a layup by Hargrove on the next possession cut the Braves' deficit to two points. With 20 seconds remaining, Macon would make two free throws to put GSW up by four points at 68-64, but Brackett would bury a 3-pointer on the next possession to leave UNCP down one point, 68-67, with 14.9 seconds remaining.

Feisty UNCP defense would cause a turnover on the ensuing inbounds pass, and the loose ball would be picked up by Brackett, who would be quickly fouled, putting him at the free throw line. The sophomore would make both to put UNCP up 69-68 with eight seconds remaining. 

A desperation 3-point attempt by Glover would catch iron, giving UNCP a win over the third-ranked team in the region, their second win over a regionally-ranked opponent during the tournament.

Brackett led all scorers with 26 points on 6-of-20 shooting from the floor, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the foul line, which tied a PBC Tournament record. He added five rebounds, three steals and an assist in 37 minutes of action.

Fellow sophomore George Blakeney added 14 points on 4-of-9 shooting from the floor, including a 6-of-10 effort from the foul line while also adding five rebounds.

Senior Chris Hargrove was the final member of the squad in double figures with 11 points on a 4-of-9 effort from the field while also adding five boards of his own.

The Braves will take on #5 Augusta State in Sunday's tournament championship game with tip-off scheduled for 4:30 p.m. The Jaguars defeated Montevallo by a score of 61-52 in the first semifinal matchup on the men's side of the tournament on Saturday.