Box Score Wheeling, W.Va. – Glenville State battled back from a 12-point deficit with just three-minutes remaining in the ball game tying the contest at 92 all. However, the Hilltoppers would prevail with a buzzer beating three-pointer as GSC fell 95-92 in the MEC Tournament Semifinals.

How It Happened

First Half:

Nick Edwards opened up the offensive attack for the Blue and White with a rimless three ball assisted by Hegel Augustin, though the Hilltoppers would pick up a quick 9-6 lead.

Augustin hit a three-pointer from the top of the key to tie up at 11-all at the 13:24 mark. He then hit another three-pointer to give GSC their first lead of the game at 14-13 at the 12:00 minute threshold then followed by a John Williams layup as GSC led 16-13.  

Both teams then went up and down trading several buckets as the Hilltoppers held a slight four-point lead 26-22. 

Slowly straying away, WLU would lead by nine before Augustin drove a layup in the paint where J. Williams added two free shots at the stripe. Then taking a ten-point lead, J. Williams would bring back the Pioneers down to singles netting a second chance layup.

Bringing back the momentum to the Blue and White bench Augustin dunked the ball over a WLU turnover that then led to layup in the paint from J. Williams to Edwards trailing just 42-37.

J. Williams picked up two layups to end the half holding just a four-point deficit at 46-41. When GSC was trailing 26-22, both teams held equal scoring as West Liberty out scored Glenville State 20-18. In the half, WLU out shot the Pioneers 57% to 42% though GSC netted six buckets from deep where as WLU was 3-11.

Second Half:

In the opening five minutes of play, West Liberty held their short four-point lead going into their first media break of the half.

Edwards then pulled within three shooting 1-for-2 at the stipe to then have Zane Desouza sink a BIG three carrying the Pioneers within one!

Adding five points on the opponent side, J. Williams sunk another three ball to hold a close contest trailing 58-55 (11:25).

Then quickly picking up an 8-0 run in under a minute, WLU extended their lead 66-55. Holding their double figure lead, Augustin held their momentum with another three shot trailing 76-64 (5:32).

Nick Edwards added a pair from the line with Hegel Augustin and John Williams both following with triples.

Then the Pioneers turned it on.

At the 1:27 mark, Augustin sunk a three ball to bring the Pioneers within five that led to an exciting offensive attack. Five three-pointers were made back to back as GSC would then trail just by one with 17 seconds on the clock.

Zane Desouza connected with Nick Edwards for a long shot three ball to tie the ball game at 92 all in the final seven seconds. West Liberty's Malik McKinny drilled a buzzer beating three ball to take the contest 95-92 sending the Hilltoppers to the Championship game.

Inside The Box Score

Glenville State shot 46% from the floor and while sinking 17-for-39 three-pointer buckets as both teams forced 11 turnovers. The Pioneers were able to convert 14 into points while bringing down 37 rebounds.

The Pioneers were led by both Hegel Augustin and John Williams as they both tallied 32 points in the contest with nine and eight rebounds, respectively. Augustin netted seven three balls picking while also picking up two steals. J. Williams from behind the arc scored 5-of-10 while also adding two steals to his stat sheet.
Nick Edwards and Zane Desouza both chipped in with 12 points each. Edwards connected with eight assists on the night where Desouza finished 4-for-7 from deep.

West Liberty finished the night shooting 55% from the floor while scoring 10-for-22 from deep with just 67% from the freebie stripe. Malik McKinny tallied 15 points with the buzzer beater as Dalton Bolon also tied game high 32 points.

The Pioneers will now await the NCAA Selection Show tomorrow night at 10:00pm to see if Glenville State will make an appearance at the NCAA Regional Tournament.

MEC All-Tournament Team
Lamont McManus, UC
Jeremiah Moore, WVSU
John Williams, GSC
Hegel Augustin, GSC
Dalton Bolon, WLU
Pat Robinson, WLU
Dale Bonner, FAIR
MVP- Dale Bonner, FAIR

Highest Scoring Average: John Williams, GSC
Heart & Hustle: Pat Robinson, WLU