GREENEVILLE, TENN. – With the score tied at 75-75 and the horn signaling the end of regulation, the Newberry Wolves (5-11, 1-8 SAC) and the Tusculum Pioneers (9-8, 5-4 SAC) headed to overtime, but it was the Pioneers who would come out on top, claiming the victory 91-81.
 
The majority of the first half was an even affair, with the Wolves finding themselves ahead by a score of 26-24 with five minutes remaining before the break, but the Wolves rode Luke Gibson and Marshall Lange for an 11-3 run, giving Newberry the 37-27 lead heading into the locker room.
 
The Wolves' strong defensive effort was a key factor in their lead, holding the Pioneers to 27 points in the opening frame, the lowest they've held an opponent to all season.
 
The Pioneers, however, were not finished. After experiencing such a slump offensively in the first half, Tusculum was able to turn it on, ultimately converting on 46.5 percent of their field goal attempts.
 
Tusculum's smothering zone defense had a noticeable effect on the Newberry offense, causing the Wolves to shoot just 37.3 percent from the floor. With few holes inside, the Wolves were forced to find the majority of their offense from the outside, hitting 13 three-pointers in the game.
 
The Pioneer comeback was lead by a pair of 20-point scorers in Tariq Jenkins and Donovan Donaldson, who scored 22 and 21 points respectively. Donaldson was especially clutch in overtime, hitting multiple buckets to put the game out of reach for Newberry.
 
Five Tusculum players finished in double-digits on the day, contributing 84 points to the Pioneer total.
 
After forcing the game to overtime, the Pioneers were able to catch fire, going on a 16-6 run in the frame to claim the 10-point victory over the Wolves in comeback fashion.
 
Marshall Lange continued his impressive offensive streak, leading all scorers with 24 points on 7-15 shooting. He finished with a double-double on the day, recording 11 rebounds as well.
 
Three other Newberry players finished in double-digits, with Luke Gibson (18p), Nilous Hodge Jr. (14p) and Josiah Coatie (12p) making big contributions offensively. Marquis Collins had an exceptional day on the glass, pulling down 14 rebounds to lead all players.
 
Ultimately, it was turnovers that did in the Wolves, giving the ball away 20 times compared to Tusculum's nine. This led to 21 points off turnover, a tough blow to weather for Newberry.
 
The marks the fifth consecutive loss for the Wolves, who will look to get back on track when they head home to take on the Coker Cobras on Wednesday, January 23. That game will tipoff at 8:00 pm at Eleazer Arena in Newberry.