BLUFFTON -- USCB men's basketball put the conference on notice last night as the Sand Sharks pulled off a thrilling 114-112 victory over the Augusta Jaguars inside the Cove.
The Sand Sharks had five players score in double-figures led by Larry Bulluck's best outing of the year dropping 26 points while the Sand Sharks big man, Marcus Overstreet fell just one rebound short of his fifth double-double of the season with 21 points and nine rebounds while Shea Champine made his first start of the year collecting 17 points while dishing out three assists.
Kevaughn Price continued his strong season adding 14 points and Qurahn Anderson added 10 off the bench.
"An incredible feeling tonight," head coach Ron Fudala said. "We say 'don't blink' their going to make a run, we're going make a run. We've got to play our game for 40 minutes. It was a complete team effort from everyone on the court, all of the fans, it was tremendous."
Beaufort started off red hot, opening the game on a 9-2 run before the first line change. Augusta trimmed the lead to four but Kobe Shewry drilled a triple from the wing to make it an eight-point game. Dylan Lewis's layup gave the Sand Sharks a 10-point advantage through the game's first five minutes.
Midway through the period the Jags cut the lead to single digits but Champine sunk a three-ball and was fouled on the play, then converted the free throw putting USCB up 11. Bulluck followed with back-to-back triples as the Sand Shark extended its lead. Augusta battled back to within six, but went into the break behind 61-55.
The high-scoring affair continued throughout the second half. The Jaguars brought the score to within two points multiple times before finally tying it up at 84 after a Ja'Queze Kirby slam dunk. Zyere Edwards put AU on top 92-91 with just over eight minutes to play.
The lead was short-lived however as while the lead was as large as four for Augusta, Bulluck's three-pointer with seven minutes to play made it 99-98 Jaguars and Overstreet put USCB over the century mark with a layup. Bulluck drained a step back triple to make it 105-101. With just two minutes to play Augusta made it 111-109 after David Viti connected for three but Kenney Gaines knocked down one from the charity stripe and stole the final ball as the Sand Sharks went on to win 114-112.
"We're becoming a family, that's what is most important to me. The wins or losses, the baskets or dunks, it's just about becoming a family."
USCB travels to Clayton State University this Saturday for its first conference road contest. The Lakers are coming off a loss in their conference opener to North Georgia 78-71. Tipoff for Saturday's game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
