GREENSBORO, N.C. — Trae Gaines kept postseason hopes very much alive Sunday afternoon with his game-tying three-pointer that helped the Piedmont College men's basketball team to a 93-85 double-overtime win at Greensboro College in USA South play.
Piedmont was down four with 22 seconds left before Chase England hit a three-pointer to make it a one-point game as the Lions put Greensboro's Simeon Howard on the line almost immediately. Howard would hit on both free throw tries to make it a three-point game, but Gaines once again made good on his "Mr. Big Shot" reputation rising up to hit a game-tying tri-fecta to force overtime in Carolina.
England would lead Piedmont with his 21 points on the afternoon with Gaines close behind at 20. One overtime period was not enough for these two as Greensboro connected on a late free throw to force double OT with the teams tied at 77 after one period of bonus basketball.
In the second overtime with 47 seconds left, Piedmont took a four-point lead at 87-83 after a hard-fought Justin Vallejo lay-up, two of 14 points for the sophomore who finished one rebound shy of a double-double.
Following a Greensboro timeout, the Pride had several opportunities to cut into the lead, but Piedmont denied each one before collecting the rebound and getting to the other side just in time for a Chris Meeks duck that put the lead to six with under 20 seconds to play.
A Greensboro turnover on the ensuing possession and Kelly Assinesi at the line for two sealed the Pride's fate as Piedmont came away with the 93-85 double-overtime victory over the home team.
For the Piedmont men's basketball team, it's the first time the Lions have won two USA South games on the road in the same weekend since becoming a league member back in 2012-13.
Piedmont heads to Maryville College for a mid-week showdown on Wednesday with tip-off in Tennessee set for 7:30 pm.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2016/2/370181/mens-basketball-completes-big-weekend-on-road-with-2-ot-win-over-greensboro-93-85