By Brackin Lambert
uscbathletics.com
BLUFFTON — USCB men’s basketball has shown that it has the flair for the dramatic during its inaugural season, and it was no different Wednesday night inside The Cove, as the Sand Sharks fought to the final seconds against rival USC Aiken, but the eighth-ranked Pacers escaped the Lowcountry with an 83-80 overtime victory.
“We were right there and had a chance,” head coach Ron Fudala said. “I just feel for our guys right now, they played their butts off tonight. They are buying in and listening to what we’re doing here. We’re going to do good things here and tonight’s game proves that.”
Larry Bulluck led the way for five Sand Sharks in double-figures, posting a team-high 18 points. Marcus Overstreet put a stellar 15 points and 15 rebounds while Qurahn Anderson scored 14 points and Kevaughn Price netted 12 points with seven boards. Shea Champine added 10.
The Sand Sharks had a chance to win it in regulation when Overstreet drove to the basket and drew a foul as the clock winded down, but the ball rattled the rim before failing to fall and two foul shots were off the mark.
Heading into overtime, the Sand Sharks quickly jumped ahead, and the Pacers missed three of four from the charity stripe, but Tyler Johnson put Aiken up 77-75 with a 3-point play and the Pacers escaped with an 83-80 win.
The Sand Sharks struggled on the road Saturday at Flagler, though, shooting 5-for-33 from 3-point range in a 97-68 defeat.
USCB (9-7, 2-6 Peach Belt) returns home to The Cove for home games against Columbus State on Wednesday and Clayton State on Saturday.
