Glenville, W.Va. –The Davis & Elkins Senators (7-19, 5-15) would hit two must have free-throws down the stretch as it sealed the victory over the GSC Pioneers (13-13, 10-10 MEC) on Saturday from inside the Waco Center, 81-78.

Hegel Augustin posted a game-high 21 points and six assists to lead GSC.

How It Happened

First Half:

The Pioneers got off to a fast start as Noah Frampton and Phil Bledsoe both drilled back-to-back three-pointers as they raced out to an 8-2 lead early. But the Senators then made a 9-3 run as they knotted the game up at 11-11 with 11:17 to play.

D&E then took their first lead of the game on the next possession as Teemu Tumanoff connected on a layup as they led 13-11 over GSC.  But GSC's Noah Frampton responded with a three-pointer putting GSC back up 14-13 at the 10:33 minute mark.

Both teams would go up and down trading baskets as we found ourselves tied up at 31-31 with just 2:43 until the half.

The Senators then outscored the Pioneers 5-3 in the last two minutes as GSC trailed 35-34 at halftime.

Second Half:

The second half would play out much like the first half with both teams trading several baskets as again we were tied up at 55 all with under 12:00 minutes to play.

Both teams tried to make some separation but for the eighth time in the contest we found ourselves knotted up this time at 63 all with 7:42 left to play.

The Senators went on a small 10-4 run as they built a six point lead over the Pioneers 73-67. But then on the next GSC possession Steven Verplancken cut the deficit in half with a corner three-pointer pulling  the Pioneers within three, 73-70 with 2:24 to play.

D&E responded with a layup as they stretched their lead to five, 75-70.

Eventually D&E re-stretched their lead to six, 78-72 with just 22 second left. Hegel Augustin was then fouled on a three-pointer and he netted all three as he pulled GSC back within three points, 78-75 with 22 seconds to play.

Glenville State was then was forced to foul and the Senators would make just 1-of-2 free-throws as they now led 79-75. Then Steven Verplancken would give the Pioneers life with a huge three pulling GSC within one point with just eight seconds left.  However, D&E would make their free-throws and GSC's desperation three-pointer came up short as they fell at home, 78-81.
 
Inside The Box Score

Glenville State shot 44% from the floor and 39% from deep while Davis & Elkins shot 53% from the field and 44% from behind the arc.

The Senators won the rebounding battle by three, 33-30. Davis & Elkins also had a big advantage in the paint outscoring the Pioneers 35-18.

Hegel Augustin paced GSC with 21 points while Steven Verplancken and Phil Bledsoe each posted 20 points apiece. Bledsoe also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds as he posted a double-double.

Noah Frampton chipped in with 14 points netting four three-pointers.

Davis & Elkins had three players score in double figures with Erkam Kiris scoring a team-high 19 points and eight rebounds.

Coming Up

Next up for the Pioneers on Senior Day are the Golden Eagles of the University of Charleston this Wednesday, February 26^th at 7:30 p.m. Pioneer fans are encouraged to wear white as it will be a White Out.