Men's Basketball rallies for overtime victory in GCAC opener
NEW ORLEANS - Wiley University men's basketball player Demarius Pitts hit five 3-pointers in the second half to help the Wildcats rally from a double-digit deficit and win their Gulf Coast Athletic Conference opener 89-81 over Dillard University in overtime Friday at Dent Hall.
Wiley (5-4, 1-0) snapped a two-game losing streak - picking up its second road victory. It is the fourth time in five seasons that the Wildcats have won their conference opener.
Pitts scored a career-high 30 points - hitting 11 of 20 field goal attempts - including 6-for-12 from 3-point range. He added six rebounds and three steals. Delor Johnson followed with his seventh 20-plus point game with 25. He hit 10 shots, including the tying shot in overtime. Johnson added eight rebounds and four assists. Shamir Mosley provided 11 points, three rebounds and an assist. Devon Barshow had his highest offensive output with 13 points. He tallied three rebounds, two steals and an assist.
The Wildcats trailed 63-44 with 8:04 left in the game. Pitts hit two 3-pointers and stole the ball. Mosley cashed in on the takeaway. A 3-pointer by Barshow cut the margin to eight with 5:31 remaining.
In the final two minutes of regulation, Pitts hit two shots to pull the Wildcats within three. Dillard missed a layup and Jalen Bates got the rebound. Pitts tied the game with 24.2 seconds left on his fifth 3-pointer of the second half.
Wiley trailed 77-74 with 2:22 left in overtime. Johnson made a layup and was fouled with 1:32 remaining. He tied the game at the free throw line. Barshow got a steal and found Bates, who got fouled. He put Wiley on top at the charity stripe. Barshow stole the ball and scored to increase the lead to four. Dillard let its frustration get the best of itself as it was whistled for a technical foul. Barshow made one of two free throws and Johnson made a layup to push the lead to 84-77.
The Wildcats will visit Southern University at New Orleans at 5 p.m. Saturday. The Knights fell 82-71 to Philander Smith University on Thursday.