SUNDAY'S SCORES
Western Carolina 76,
@Tennessee Tech 75 (OT)
WESTERN CAROLINA 76, TENNESSEE TECH 75 (OT)
CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Heartbreak spoiled what could have been for the Tennessee Tech men's basketball team Sunday afternoon, as a last-second 3-pointer from Western Carolina's Mason Faulkner gave the Catamounts a 76-75 victory over the Golden Eagles in overtime.
Coaching in his first game of the 2020-21 campaign after missing the opening four contests due to COVID, Pelphrey watched as his team battled back from a seven-point deficit in the second half to force overtime against a very strong Catamount program.
In the overtime period, sophomore Keishawn Davidson drew a foul with 6.8 seconds to play and the score knotted at 73-73, earning a pair of free throws. The point guard calmly knocked down both attempts before Western Carolina called for a timeout.
Faulkner dribbled partway inside the 3-point line before stepping back and draining the dagger with less than a second a play, securing a 5-1 start for a Catamount club that won 19 games a season ago.
The Golden Eagles battled foul trouble for much of the contest, finishing the 45 minutes of action with 24 compared to just 11 for the home team. Tech also made 19 turnovers in the contest, but did see improvement at the charity stripe, finishing 10-for-15 on the day.
Veteran guards Jr. Clay and Davidson paved the way for the Cookeville crew, combining for 38 of the team's season-high 75 points. Clay poured in a season-high 20 points while also pacing the Golden Eagles with four assists and four steals. Davidson tied his career-high output with 18 points.
Making his season debut after being cleared to play by the NCAA on Dec. 3, sophomore transfer CJ Gettelfinger chipped in eight points off the bench. Freshman forward Kenny White Jr. corralled a team-high eight rebounds while Shandon Goldman kicked in seven boards. Also making his season debut after sitting out due to COVID protocols, Tujautae Williams recorded six points and six rebounds.
Ten of the 11 Golden Eagles who saw the court contributed at least two points in the contest while 10 of the eleven corralled at least one of the team's 41 rebounds.