WINSTON-SALEM, NC- It came down to the finals seconds.  Requiring a jump shot to tie and a three-pointer to win.  With five seconds left on the clock, a quick pass from Lance Harris to Jarvis Hardy, the Patriots captured the game, 77-76, against Piedmont International University in the most intense matchup of the season!

The first half appeared to be nothing out of the ordinary.  The Patriots jumped out to a comfortable 15-point lead and held on until halftime.  Despite the strong lead in the beginning, as time began to wind down, the Bruins were able to knock the Patriots' advantage from 15-points to just six going into the break, 41-35.

As the second half got underway, it quickly became apparent that it would be anyone's' game.  Playing to the cheers of their crowd, the Bruins overcame the Patriots' game plan and jumped ahead of the visitors.  Both teams fought tooth and nail, pressing as hard as they could to seize control as time started to slip away.  What happened in the first 45 minutes of the game no longer mattered because it all came down to the final two minutes and nineteen seconds. 
With 2:19 on the clock the Bruins were up by three, 70-67.  Lance Harris dribbled the ball down the court, passing to Kevin Mack who penetrated into the paint before kicking it out to Jarvis Hardy, sinking a three-pointer to tie the game.  An ill-timed turnover by Bruins' Carl Tyson allowed the Patriots the chance to make good on a jumper to go up by two, 72-70.

Just under a minute to go, and refusing to give up, the Bruins created an open shot beyond the arc to go up by one, 73-72.  00:50 displayed on the clock.  Patriots' Kevin Mack finds an open spot to score two more, putting the Patriots up by one, 74-73.  The Bruins returned the favor, sinking a two-pointer of their own to lead by one, 75-74, with 00:15 on the clock.   As the Patriots started to dribble the ball down the court, Tony Hazzard pushed off on a Bruins' point guard committing an offensive foul.  The Patriots had no other choice than to bring their opponent to the free-throw line and take their chances of missed shot.  Bruin's Timothy Worles stepped up to the line, making just one of two and keeping the Patriot's hopes of winning alive. 

00:08 left on the clock.  Time for just one shot.  Lance Harris carried the ball down the floor, moving it around before dribbling it into the lane and kicking it out to Jarvis Hardy, who drained a three-pointer to bring the Patriots up by one, 77-76!  Thinking that the time had run out on the clock the Patriots' bench cleared with the men celebrating their alleged win.  The clock proved otherwise, as 00:01 seconds glowed from the board.  With time on the board and the bench cleared, the Patriots were charged with a technical foul.  The Bruins were brought to the foul line once more.  Scoring twice would capture the game for the home team.  All the Patriots could do now was wait.  Bruin's Timothy Worles stepped up to the line.  First shot.  Missed.  Second shot.  Missed.  But that wasn't the end.  The Bruins had one last chance to score.  Standing at the opposite end of the court, the Bruins threw a long pass and put up the shot as the horn blew!  Both benches cleared as the Patriots believed the shot didn't count and the Bruins believed it did.  The referees discussed if the ball left the players hands before the horn and a decision was made.  No basket!  The Patriots had won, 77-76!

Five Patriots recorded double-digit points.  Lance Harris notched 23 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals. 

Jarvis Hardy recorded 10 point while Jean LeBlanc and Kevin Mack tallied 12 apiece.  Tony Malone finished the night with 15 points, six rebounds and one steal.

The Patriots compete in their final game of the Classic, Saturday, January 11.  The men take on Welch College at 1 PM.

Go Patriots!