MORROW, Ga. – The 21^st-ranked UNC Pembroke men's basketball team shot just 37.7 percent from the field, but used a sizeable advantage on the offensive boards, as well a staunch defensive effort in overtime, to post an 88-80 victory over upset-minded Clayton State on Saturday at The Loch.
 
It was the second-straight road win for the Braves (14-3, 9-2 PBC) who improved to 14-6 in overtime games under head coach Ben Miller with their ninth-straight extra-time triumph. The setback marked the seventh loss in the last eight outings for the Lakers (5-12, 2-9) who have now dropped four of the last five matchups with UNCP.
 

THE BASICS

SCORE: No. 21 UNC Pembroke 88, Clayton State 80 (OT) RECORDS: UNC Pembroke 14-3, 9-2 PBC; Clayton State 5-12, 2-9 PBC LOCATION: Morrow, Ga. (The Loch)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST HALF

Akia Pruitt's dunk at the 12:47 mark gave the Braves a 14-7 advantage, but the Braves missed six of their next seven shots which fueled a 13-2 run for the Lakers that allowed them to grab a four-point advantage, 20-16, just more than three minutes later. UNCP regained the lead on two free throws from Cam Hamilton at the 8:44 mark, but Clayton State would utilize a modest five-point scoring spurt later in the period to go back out on top, 27-24. The Braves would close the back-and-forth first half on Carson Mounce's layup with two seconds left that gave them a 37-36 lead heading into the break.

2ND HALF

Clayton State went 9-for-13 (.692) from the field in the first 10-plus minutes of the second half and held a 61-58 advantage after Gabriel Joseph-Bryan's layup with 9:43 left to play, but the Lakers tallied just one bucket over the next six minutes of play and allowed the Black & Gold to regain control. The Braves led 73-69 after two free throws by James Murray-Boyles with 59 ticks left, but the hosts got a layup from Kyle Kincey on the other end of the court and forced an ill-time turnover by the visitors on the ensuing possession. Kincey's free throws with 2.6 seconds left in regulation would send the game into overtime.

OVERTIME

The Braves limited Clayton State to just 1-for-7 shooting in the overtime period, while also forcing four turnovers as well. Tyrell Kirk gave UNCP an 80-74 advantage on a layup with 2:56 left to play, and UNCP never looked back.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Junior Akia Pruitt scored a team-best 17 points on 6-for-12 shooting on Saturday, while also pulling down eight rebounds as well. The Winston-Salem native needs just six more points this season to become the 36th member of UNCP's 1,000-point Club. + Jamal Bryant picked up his second career double-double with 10 points and as many rebounds. His effort was highlighted by a team-high five offensive boards. + James Murray-Boyles finished his day with 12 points and five rebounds, including two big boards in the extra period. +  Tyrell Kirk added 14 points, while Cam Hamilton came off the bench to register 13 points.

NOTABLES

+ UNCP has now posted victories in its last nine overtime games. The last overtime setback for the club came at Francis Marion (78-74) on Feb. 6, 2014. The Braves are 14-6 in overtime contests under head coach Ben Miller (2008-present). + The Braves have now won 14 of their last 16 games played inside the state of Georgia – a stretch that dates back to a 77-72 victory at Augusta on Feb. 4, 2017. The Braves are 3-0 in Christenberry Fieldhouse over that stretch. + UNCP has shot less than 40 percent from the field in just two games this season, but came out on top in both contests. The Braves registered a 37.0 percent success rate in a 72-58 win at Elizabeth City State in early December.

UP NEXT

UNCP will open up a short two-game home stand on Wednesday when they suit up to entertain I-95 rival Francis Marion (13-3, 9-2 PBC) in the back half of a 5:30 p.m. Military Appreciation Night Doubleheader at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.

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JOIN THE BRAVES CLUB

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Men's Basketball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.