NASHVILLE — Vonterius Woolbright scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds and his driving layup with 1.5 seconds to go sent Western Carolina to a 63-62 win over Vanderbilt on Tuesday night.
Despite Western Carolina leading for 30:06, Vanderbilt appeared poised to close it out when Tyrin Lawrence made two foul shots to give the Commodores their biggest lead at 60-53 with 3:12 left.
But Western Carolina responded with a 3-pointer from Tre Jackson and Russell Jones Jr. made three foul shots with 2:17 remaining. The next three combined offensive possessions failed to produce points before Woolbright made a layup with 51 seconds left.
Ezra Manjon gave Vanderbilt its last lead with his layup with 9 seconds remaining. Western Carolina inbounded the ball and pushed the pace and got it to Woolbright for the game-winner.
Evan Taylor’s three-quarter heave bounced harmlessly off the backboard to end it.
Jones scored 16 points and DJ Campbell had 12 for Western Carolina (9-2).
Manjon scored 18 points and Lawrence 10 for Vanderbilt (4-7), which shot 1 for 14 from 3-point range.
The win marked Western Carolina’s third-ever win over a Southeastern Conference team and its second win over a Power 5 conference squad this season. The Catamounts beat Notre Dame 71-61 on Nov. 11.
The injury-ravaged Commodores used their eighth different starting lineup of the season. The Commodores have used 10 different players to start a game. Vanderbilt’s projected preseason starting lineup has played a total of 4:08 together.
Western Carolina hosts Brescia on Thursday.
High Point 74, UNC Greensboro 63
HIGH POINT — Trae Benham had 21 points in High Point’s 74-63 win against UNC Greensboro on Tuesday night.
Benham added six rebounds for the Panthers (9-4). Kezza Giffa and Duke Miles each added 13 points.
The Spartans (8-3) were led in scoring by Kobe Langley, who finished with 14 points and seven assists. Keyshaun Langley added 11 points and two steals for UNCG. Miles Jones also recorded 11 points.
Chattanooga 69, Gardner-Webb 66
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Trey Bonham banked in a 3-pointer from midcourt at the buzzer to give Chattanooga a 69-66 victory over Gardner-Webb on Tuesday night.
Bonham received an inbounds pass with 1.3 seconds left and took one dribble before launching a 3-pointer that hit off the backboard and went in. His teammates came off the bench to surround him in celebration.
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Jan Zidek was 8 of 11 shooting, including 4 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 7 for 8 from the line to finish with 27 points for the Mocs (8-3). Bonham scored 15 points and added seven rebounds and four steals. Tyler Millin finished with 10 points.
Julien Soumaoro had 17 points and two steals for the Runnin’ Bulldogs (5-8). Lucas Stieber added 11 points and four assists for Gardner-Webb. In addition, Caleb Robinson finished with 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks.
Mercer 84, Queens 65
MACON, Ga. — Jalyn McCreary’s 30 points and 12 rebounds led Mercer over Queens 84-65 on Tuesday night.
McCreary also contributed three steals and three blocks for the Bears (5-6). Jalen Cobb added 14 points with 10 rebounds and five assists. Jake Davis finished with 12 points.
The Royals (6-7) were led in scoring by Deyton Albury, who finished with 17 points and two steals. AJ McKee added 16 points and two steals for Queens.
