ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — The N.C. Wesleyan College men's basketball team used a 3-pointer at the buzzer to defeat the Averett men's basketball team 88-86 in overtime on Wednesday night at Everett Gym in the USA South Conference opener for both teams.
 
The battle between the two top-ranked teams in the USA South Conference preseason coaches' poll was as advertised. Averett (9-3, 0-1 USA South) took an 86-85 lead when senior Bradley Robinson made a layup with eight seconds remaining. On their ensuing possession, the Battling Bishops' Adrian Moore pulled up for a jumper. Moore's shot missed and junior Charles Bryant was there for the rebound.  The Cougars tried to run out the clock, but were whistled for a traveling violation. N.C. Wesleyan received the ball in Averett territory, and Marcus Williams nailed his 3-point attempt as the buzzer sounded, giving the Battling Bishops the thrilling overtime victory.
 
Averett started off the overtime period strong, scoring the first four points on its way to a 76-72 edge when Robinson nailed a triple. N.C. Wesleyan (9-4, 1-0 USA South) answered back with an 11-6 run of its own to pull in front 83-82 at the 1:09 mark. The Cougars used a pair of free throws from sophomore James Contreras Jr. to jump back on top 84-83 with under a minute remaining. Once again, though, the Battling Bishops stormed back and took a one-point advantage thanks to a jumper from Moore with 13 seconds left. Five seconds later, Robinson struck again with a layup to make it 86-85, but it was the Battling Bishops who got the final clutch shot to seal the win.
 
The contest was a nail-biter well before the overtime theatrics. N.C. Wesleyan took a 72-70 lead with 13 seconds left in regulation thanks to a free throw. However, the Cougars fought back and tied the game six seconds later at 72-72 thanks to a jumper from Bryant. 

Averett had five players score in double digits. Contreras led the way with a career-high 19 points and added four assists, while senior Carter Jones recorded a double-double of 18 points and a career-high 14 rebounds. Robinson finished with 15 points and freshman Austin DeLucia chipped in 15 points as well. West scored 10 points and added four assists and seven rebounds.
 
The Cougars shot 43.9 percent from the field to go along with a 21 of 28 performance from the charity stripe. Averett also won the battle under the boards, outrebounding N.C. Wesleyan 45-43.
 
Despite trailing early in the first half, Averett used a 17-10 run to establish its first lead of the game thanks to DeLucia's 3-pointer that made it 25-22 with 9:03 left before the break. However, N.C. Wesleyan briefly regained the lead at the 8:06 mark. The Cougars controlled the rest of the half from there, building their lead to 11 with West's layup that gave Averett a 44-33 advantage with 42 seconds remaining in the period.
 
Averett returns to the court on Saturday when it hosts Greensboro College at 4 p.m. at the Grant Center.