BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA — The University of South Carolina Beaufort men's basketball team hosted Flagler College in its first home game of 2026, and the Sand Sharks delivered a thrilling 83–82 overtime victory on an Evan Kilminster buzzer-beater. The win marked USCB's first victory over Flagler College, snapping a four-game losing streak against the Saints.
The Sand Sharks improved to 10–4 overall and 4–3 in Peach Belt Conference play, while Flagler fell to 9–5 overall and 4–3 in conference action.
USCB was led in scoring by Qurahn Anderson, who finished with 20 points on nine made field goals. Kilminster recorded a double-double with 18 points, including the game-winning basket, and 14 rebounds. He also led the team with five assists and two steals. Ismail Rashid added 14 points, while Shea Champine chipped in 11 to give the Sand Sharks four players in double figures.
Kilminster opened the scoring as USCB jumped out to a fast start, scoring the game's first six points. Flagler did not score until the 17:49 mark of the first half and did not make its first field goal until the 17-minute mark, as the Sand Sharks built an early 8–1 lead.
The Saints responded to tie the game at 8–8 with 16 minutes remaining in the first half before Seth Cullen ended the run with his first points of the game. After two additional ties, USCB pushed its lead to five when Kilminster grabbed an offensive rebound and converted a putback layup to make it 20–15 midway through the half.
Champine maintained the momentum by completing a three-point play on a driving layup, extending the lead to 23–18. Dominic Eason later stretched the advantage to seven at 28–21 with a three-pointer before Flagler went on a late run in the half on a 6–0 run to tie the game at 34–34. Kilminster scored his 10th point of the half to send the Sand Sharks into halftime with a 36–34 lead.
Kilminster led all scorers at the break with 10 points as USCB scored 20 of its 36 first-half points in the paint.
Flagler took the lead early in the second half with a three-pointer following an offensive rebound to go up 37–36. Two minutes into the half, Anderson scored USCB's first basket to reclaim the lead at 38–37. After a three-minute scoring drought by both teams, Flagler started an 11–2 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Rahdir Hicks, to take its largest lead of the game at 48–40.
The deficit remained eight at 50–42 before USCB responded with a run. Anderson sparked a 16–3 surge, scoring seven points over a five-minute span, as the Sand Sharks regained the lead at 56–51 with seven minutes remaining.
USCB held the advantage for much of the closing stretch, but Flagler reclaimed the lead at 69–68 with 1:07 left. The teams traded baskets before the Saints took a 72–70 lead with 10 seconds remaining in regulation. Kilminster then tied the game with a basket with two seconds left, forcing overtime at 72–72.
In overtime, the Sand Sharks scored the first six points and jumped out to a 78–72 lead while forcing two turnovers. Flagler responded with a three-pointer to cut the margin to one at 80–79. USCB held an 81–79 lead before the Saints completed a three-point play on a driving layup to take an 82–81 advantage with seven seconds remaining.
After an offensive rebound by Kilminster kept the final possession alive. After a time out he hit a stepback jump shot to knock down the game-winning shot at the buzzer, sealing the 83–82 victory for the Sand Sharks.
USCB finished the game with 50 points in the paint and 17 second-chance points.
The Sand Sharks return to action Saturday afternoon at Columbus State University, with tip-off scheduled for 3:30 p.m. against the Cougars.
Stay tuned to uscbathletics.com and follow Sand Shark Athletics on social media for the latest news, updates, and information.
