Late 3-pointer sends Anderson to next round

Brandon Young drained a 3-pointer with 2.1 seconds remaining to lift Anderson to a 68-66 comeback win over Catawba in the first round of the Division II Tournament.

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The Trojans (24-7) overcame a 10-point deficit the final five minutes of the game to advance to play Augusta State in the Southeast Regional semifinals at 7:30 tonight.

"We're just going to battle and let the chips fall where they may," Anderson coach Jason Taylor said about tonight's matchup. "They're a great team. Everybody's great this time of year."

Catawba (20-11) led by 14 at halftime and was up 63-53 after a pair of Antonio Houston free throws. Anderson closed with a 15-3 run, capped by Young's game-winner.

"The kid hit a tough shot," said Catawba coach Jim Baker, whose teams have also lost a pair of overtime games in the Division II Tournament in the past four years at Christenberry Fieldhouse. "We've been a little snakebit on this floor."

Young and Kevis Cornwell each scored 19 points to lead Anderson.

Donald Rutherford led the Indians with 17 points.

MONTEVALLO 84, No. 24 MOUNT OLIVE 70

Freddy Little led four players in double figures with 20 points as the Falcons cruised to victory over the Trojans.

Montevallo, which led by 11 at halftime, made nine 3-pointers and shot 50 percent from the field in the second half.

"I thought it was going to be a very difficult game for us because of their size, and the way they play," Falcons coach Danny Young said. "They are a team that likes to go up and down and we are a team that likes to control tempo. Our game plan was to come out and go the post right away and I think we did a very good job at doing that."

Montevallo (24-7) advanced to play USC Aiken at 5 p.m. today in a rematch of the Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship game, a contest won by the Pacers.

"We're excited to play them," Falcons guard Mark Plaza said. "They took our conference tournament championship title away from us."

Mount Olive ended its season at 25-6. Mike Holloman scored 23 points with 10 boards to pace the Trojans, while Craig Hayes scored 16.

"The game just didn't fall our way," Mount Olive coach Joey Higginbotham said. "I tip my hat to Montevallo. They executed and did what they needed to do to win."