PEMBROKE, NORTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort men's basketball team opened its two-game Thanksgiving weekend tournament in Pembroke with an opening game thriller. The Sand Sharks used a late comeback sparked by a 9–0 run and capped by an Evan Kilminster buzzer-beater to defeat host University of North Carolina at Pembroke, 81–80.
With the win, the Sand Sharks improve to 5–1 on the season.
Dylan Lewis led USCB with 19 points, one of three Sand Sharks to score in double figures. He added seven rebounds and five assists. Dominic Eason contributed 15 points and a team-high eight rebounds, while Kilminster finished with 18 points and five assists.
UNC Pembroke opened the game with the first five points before Lewis stopped the run with a jumper assisted by Seth Cullen. Lewis continued his strong start, scoring six of the team's first seven points as the Sand Sharks claimed their first lead at 7–6. Moments later, a defensive rebound led to a fast-break dunk by Eason off a Kilminster assist. After a brief UNCP lead, Kilminster responded with a three-pointer to put USCB back in front with 13 minutes remaining in the half.
Both teams traded baskets through the midpoint of the half. Lewis scored his eighth point to give USCB a 16–15 lead, then added his second block to hold the lead. Aiden Fitzgerald knocked down his first three-pointer to push the margin to 20–15. Nolan Paladugu scored on consecutive possessions to keep the lead at five with 7:24 left in the half.
Eason's second dunk extended the lead to its largest at that point of the half before a Braves run, capped by a Javonte Waverly three, tied the game at 28–28. Lewis answered with a three of his own, his 12th point of the half, and Paladugu added another to maintain a 34–30 advantage. USCB connected on three straight triples, the last coming from Eason. The Sand Sharks entered halftime with a 41–40 lead after Lukas Platauna drilled a three with 30 seconds remaining.
USCB hit six three-pointers in the opening half and shot 48 percent overall.
Kilminster scored the first four points of the second half, for the Sand Sharks but UNC Pembroke responded with a 6–0 run and later stretched the lead to six with 13 minutes remaining. A fast-break dunk pushed the Braves' lead to double digits for the first time at the 10-minute mark, making it 68–57.
The Sand Sharks trailed by as many as 13 before beginning their comeback, started by a Fitzgerald layup. Defensive pressure started the rally, holding UNCP scoreless from the 8:20 to the 5:00 mark, helping USCB cut the deficit to seven following a Seth Cullen layup. After the Braves briefly pushed the margin back to nine, Lewis started the Sand Shark run which had USCB score nine straight points to tie the game.
USCB's defense held strong again, keeping UNC Pembroke scoreless for another three-minute stretch. Lewis answered a UNCP three to keep the deficit at two before an Eason dunk off a Kevaughn Price steal gave the Sand Sharks their first lead since early in the second half. The Braves reclaimed a one-point lead with five seconds left, setting up the final moment. Off the inbound, Kilminster raced the length of the court to finish off the running shot for the game winning shot as time expired at the buzzer, giving USCB the 81–80 victory.
USCB finished with 40 points in the paint and recorded 15 assists on 31 made field goals. The game featured 13 lead changes and 10 ties.
The Sand Sharks conclude the Thanksgiving tournament on Sunday against Ferrum College, with tipoff set for 2:00 p.m. at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court in Pembroke, North Carolina.
Stay tuned to uscbathletics.com and follow Sand Shark Athletics on social media for the latest news, updates, and information.
