YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | C.J. Wilson's three-pointer at the buzzer helped Young Harris College overcome an eight-point deficit in the final three minutes as the Mountain Lions defeated Francis Marion University 75-74 in a Peach Belt Conference win over Francis Marion University Saturday (Jan. 16) afternoon at the YHC Basketball Arena.
 
The Mountain Lions improved to 9-8 overall and moved into first place the PBC West Division with a 7-1 ledger. The Patriots fell to 9-7 and 2-6. Young Harris returns to action Monday (Jan. 18) with a 3:30 p.m. contest against Augusta University in Augusta, Georgia.
 
Francis Marion opened up a 69-61 lead with 3:00 to go in the game after Judah Alexander nailed two free throws. The Mountain Lions got a layup from Marcellus Roberts on their next possession and added a Wilson jumper after a Patriot turnover to close within four points (69-65) with 33 seconds later.
 
"I have to give all the credit to the players for coming back from eight down with three minutes left," said YHC men's basketball coach Pete Herrmann. "Francis Marion played tough and made some big shots of its own. It came down to who had the ball last."
 
After Francis Marion missed a free throw, Roberts swished a jumper from the free throw line pull the Mountain Lions, who scored 19 points off 15 FMU turnovers, within two at 69-67 with 1:57 to go. After a FMU turnover in the backcourt, Bjorn Walker converted his steal into a layup 12 seconds later. Walker, who was fouled on the play, made the free throw for the old-fashioned three-point play to give Young Harris a 70-69 lead.
 
Francis Marion retook the lead at 72-70 on its next possession on a three-pointer by Detrek Browning with 1:23 to play. Wilson tied the game at 72 on two Wilson free throws five seconds later. It would stay tied until Alante Fenner converted a short running jumper for the Patriots for a 74-72 lead with 4.9 seconds.
 
Despite having two timeouts left, the Mountain Lions elected not to use them. Wilson took the inbounds pass from Marques McKoy and took five dribbles before calmly launching a three-pointer – his second buzzer beater in the past two seasons – over two Patriot defenders from the top of the key before the buzzer sounded for the victory.
 
"With three minutes left, I told them we had to pressure them to get a couple of turnovers and get every rebounds," added Herrmann. "We did that then the best player in the Peach Belt did what he does best."
 
Wilson led the Mountain Lions with 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting and five assists. Roberts added 12 points while McKoy recorded his sixth double double with 10 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Browning and Mike Davis Jr. led the Patriots with 20 points apiece while Fenner tossed in 16. Alexander added a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.