Newberry, S.C. - The Newberry College men's basketball program (0-3, 0-1 SAC) fell to the Lions of Mars Hill (1-2, 1-0 SAC) by a score of 76-75 on Wednesday after the Lions took a one-point lead with nine seconds remaining in the game, spoiling an impressive 31-point, 13-rebound effort from QuanDaveon McCollum.
The Wolves would start the game off strong with a 7-0 run to claim an early 9-3 advantage. The Lions would fight back, but a Robin Bedford layup would kickstart another run of 7-2 to push the Wolves' lead back out to eight points. Newberry would continue to maintain their distance from the Lions, but back-to-back Mars Hill three-pointers would cut the lead to one with two minutes remaining in the half. Three clutch points from Malakhi Stremlow would give Newberry a 34-30 lead that would be taken into the break.
In the second half, Marcus Ford would get the scoring started with a pair of free throws. The Lions would once again cut the lead to one, but a Bedford three would continue to hold them off. However, Mars Hill would proceed to go on a 10-2 run to take the lead for the first time since the score was 2-3. After going down by five points, the Wolves would answer with a 10-0 run of their own behind key buckets from Malik Joseph to take back the lead. The Lions continued to fight, but McCollum continued to apply pressure, seemingly scoring or drawing fouls at will. A jump shot from Ford would put the Wolves up by seven points at the 1:40 mark. However, a pair of late threes from Mars Hill, including one with nine seconds remaining in the game, proved to be the difference as the Lions took a one-point lead in the closing seconds, breaking the Wolves' hearts.
Despite the loss, the Wolves won the rebounding battle 41-36, and as a team, they shot 41.9% from the field. McCollum proved to be a force on the night with a 31-point, 13-rebound double-double. Eight of McCollum's rebounds came from the offensive glass, a statistic that he is currently leading the nation in three games into the season. Ford chipped in 15 points and 3 assists. Meanwhile Bedford would have 8 points and 5 rebounds of his own in 15 minutes of action.
The Wolves will return home on Saturday, Nov. 20 to face the Limestone Saints at 4 p.m. in Eleazer Arena.
