LAURINBURG — St. Andrews University senior point guard Jibri Banner provided some late-game heroics to help the Knights men’s basketball team defeat Reinhardt Saturday at Harris Court.
The visiting Eagles hit a 3-pointer with eight seconds remaining to take a 85-84 lead, but Banner responded by converting the game-winning layup with five ticks on the clock to give the Knights a thrilling 86-85 win.
St. Andrews improved to 4-5 overall (3-2 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference) while the loss dropped Reinhardt to 7-6 (2-3 in the AAC).
Banner finished the game with seven points, four rebounds and four assists while four Knights reached double-digit scoring. Jeff Gulley paced both teams with 23 points, four rebounds and three steals, and Titus Gary tacked on 19 points and four rebounds. Alex Tharp chipped in 14 points, eight rebounds and three blocks, and Jordan Sharpe added 10 points and five assists.
Nehemiah Jones and Corey Ricks led the way for the Eagles, scoring 17 points apiece.
St. Andrews returns to the hardwood today to play at Columbia International at 4 p.m.
Women’s hoops downed by Eagles
LAURINBURG — Trailing by only four points entering the fourth quarter, the St. Andrews women’s basketball team remained within striking distance of potentially securing its first conference win of the season.
But the visiting Reinhardt Eagles made sure that accomplishment never came to fruition, outscoring the Knights 24-4 in the final period to pull away for the 64-40 victory.
The loss dropped St. Andrews to 2-10 overall (0-6 in the AAC) while Reinhardt improved to 4-8 (1-4 in the AAC).
Alana Artis was the only Knight to crack double digits, scoring 11 points on 4-of-12 shooting while grabbing eight rebounds. Kelsey Houser and Alexus Davis added nine points apiece for St. Andrews.
Jada Hubbard tallied 21 points and six rebounds for Reinhardt, and Kateca Favors added 20 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and three steals.
St. Andrews will look to rebound when it returns to action Jan. 2 to face Bryan College in Tennessee. Tipoff is scheduled for noon.
Logan Martinez can be reached at 910-506-3170. Follow him on Twitter @L_Martinez13.