|
State Lakers and a berth in the “Sweet 16” of the NCAA Division II
National Tournament was 1.9 seconds.However, that 1.9 seconds was all Virginia Union needed as well. The Panthers’ Lakeith Banks drained a lay-up as time expired in overtime to give Virginia Union a thrilling 71-70 victory over Clayton State in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional at Augusta State. The Lakers finish their stellar season which featured a national ranking from the start to the finish of the season and the program’s first ever NCAA Division II National Tournament berth at 24-8. It’s the second-most victories in a season for a Clayton State team. The end symbolized the overtime period in which the lead changed sides four times in the first three minutes. Clayton State’s Brandon Kelley drained a long 3-point basket to give the Lakers a two-point lead 68-66 with 1:02 remaining. The Laker defense got a stop on the ensuing possession, but a Clayton State turnover with 28 seconds remaining gave Virginia Union new life. Blanks converted a running lay-up and was fouled on the play with 13 seconds remaining. His free throw completed the 3-point play to give Virginia Union a 69-68 lead. However, Kelley was fouled driving to the basket with five seconds remaining. He calmly sank both free throws to give the Lakers a one-point lead. Following a timeout, Virginia Union had the ball on the side. Buster Perkins fed Banks on the left wing, and he drove for the winning lay-up at the buzzer. For the Lakers to be in it down to the wire in overtime was a testament to the team itself. Clayton State played without leading scorer Todd McLaurin for much of the game with a minor foot injury. In turn, Virginia Union raced out to a quick 18-5 lead to open the contest, only to see Clayton State battle back and cut the lead to two points 30-28 at halftime. There were seven ties and four lead-changes in the second half as neither team led by more five points. Blanks hit two free throws with 31 seconds remaining to give the Panthers a 61-59 lead. However, Rod Venner, who was stellar off the bench for the Lakers, converted a jump shot in the lane to tie the game at 61-61. Jason Wansley’s jump shot at the buzzer was off, forcing overtime. Kelley completed his solid two-year career at Clayton State with 18 points, seven rebounds and five steals, while Venner scored a career-high 17 points off the bench. Michael Sloan scored 13 points for Clayton State and Jerome Boyd added eight points off the bench. The Lakers shot 78 percent from the free throw line. For Virginia Union (23-5), Brad Byerson and Chris Greene each scored 16 points, while Wansley scored 13 points and Blanks and Steve Miller each added 11 points. The Panthers shot 53 percent from the field. |
