Knights cap 2010 with third straight win

MURFREESBORO, N.C.—Junior Michael Dunkins (Candor, N.C.) drilled a game-winning three pointer in the finals seconds to lift the St. Andrews Presbyterian College men’s basketball team past host Chowan University 75-73 on Saturday afternoon.

The Knights wrap up 2010 with three consecutive wins to enter the New Year with a 4-5 overall record. The Hawks maintain a 1-6 overall ledger after the heartbreaking loss.

Dunkins was one of four Knights to finish with 10 points. Sophomore Barry Tucker (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and juniors Antonio Moffitt (Raleigh, N.C.) and Ross Williams (Washington, D.C.) all tallied 10 points.

Senior Marvin Jackson (Gloucester, Va.) had team-highs of 15 points and three steals for the Royal Blue and White. Jackson and classmate Marcus Connor (Charlotte, N.C.) both had seven rebounds. Williams dished out season-high eight assists.

St. Andrews dominated play in the first half leading for the final 17-plus minutes. A Dunkins’ trey in the final seconds extended the Knights lead to 10 (38-28) at halftime.  Dunkins had two of the Knights four made three-pointers.

Chowan fought back and tied the score midway through the second half. The two teams stayed within four points of each other for the final 10 minutes. A pair of made free throws gave the Hawks a 72-70 edge heading into the final 90 seconds but Williams knotted the score with an acrobatic up-and-under layup. Junior Aaron Christian looked to have made a steal that would have set up a breakaway layup chance but he was whistled for a foul on the play. Deandre Tyree made 1-of-2 free throws to give Chowan its final lead at 73-72 before Dunkins swished his game-winning trifecta on a Williams eighth assist with approximately two seconds left.

Christian chipped in seven points and Connor added six points and two blocks.

Chowan outshot St. Andrews 46.7% to 42.4% and held a slim 42-36 rebounding edge. The Knights defense turned 17 Hawks turnovers into 21 points while SAPC only made 13 miscues that led to just 10 points.

Charles Rhodes scored a game-high 21 points for Chowan. Mark Brown recorded 15 points. Tyree pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds.

St. Andrews will play the bulk of its Conference Carolinas slate after the holiday break beginning with a local showdown at Coker College (Hartsville, S.C.) on Monday, January 3 at 7:30 p.m.