Box Score MURFREESBORO, N.C. – Junior guard Raheem Jolliffe (Fayetteville, NC) and junior guard Tayron Gibson (Alexandria, VA) combined to drain 4 of 4 free throws in the final 16.5 seconds as Saint Augustine's University gutted out a 72-67 men's basketball win over Chowan University at the Helms Center on Wednesday, December 4, 2013.

The Falcons (5-3) earned their third straight win. It was their second victory against a fellow CIAA school in a non-conference game. The win also snapped the Hawks' (2-3 overall) two-game winning streak.

"We are finding ways to win games," St. Aug Head Coach Tony Sheals said. "That is very important for a young team. Winning on the road is a sign that the team is growing."

Junior guard Amere May (South Haven, MI), who entered the contest with a CIAA-high 22.7 scoring average, scored 21 points and 6-9, 325-pound senior center Jonathan Crawley (Richmond, VA) controlled the paint with 12 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks for the Falcons. Senior guard Joel Kindred (Raleigh, NC) scored 12 points and sophomore forward Daniel Clark (Danville, VA) registered 11 points.

But it was the play of the reserves down the stretch which keyed the win. A big three-pointer by freshman guard Anthony Gaskins (Greenville, NC) broke a 61-61 tie and sparked a 7-0 run by the Falcons.

The Hawks went on a run of their own, scoring six straight points including a three-point play Ashante Ross to pull within 68-67 with just under a minute remaining.

The Falcons missed on the next possession but Jolliffe got the long rebound and was fouled with 16.5 seconds left. He calmly swished both free throws for a 70-67 Falcons' lead. After the Hawks misfired on a three-pointer from the corner, Gibson snatched the rebound and was fouled with 1.3 seconds left. He drained both free throws on the flagrant foul to ice the game. The Falcons inbounded the ball and time expired.

Jolliffe and Gaskins was part of a productive Falcon bench which outscored Chowan 25-16 in bench points. Jolliffe had nine points and three rebounds while Gibson added four points and five rebounds.

"I tell guys all the time to be prepared when your number's called," Sheals said. "I can depend on our bench. Tayron Gibson had a great steal and several big-time rebounds. Anthony Gaskins hit a big three pointer and Raheem Jolliffe made some clutch free throws. Defensively, Raheem guarded their best player and he contained him. We think we can go seven, eight and nine deep."

The play of the reserves was crucial for the Falcons in a tight road game. The Falcons led the majority of the game against the scrappy Hawks, who managed to stay close throughout. The Hawks led only once but managed to tie the game six times.

The Falcons scored the first six points of the contest and led by as many as seven late in the first half on a three-pointer by May. The Hawks ended the half with six consecutive points to cut the score to 40-39 Falcons at halftime.

Both teams continued the trend in the second half. The Falcons would open a five to six point lead only for the Hawks to claw back in the contest. But the Falcons would prevail in the closing moments thanks to their bench.

Ashante Ross scored 17 points, Warren Powers added 16 points and Kortez Smith finished with 15 points for the Hawks, who were limited to 32 percent shooting by the Falcons. The Hawks were the CIAA leaders in three-point baskets coming into the game but were held to 3 of 24 shooting behind the three-point arc for 12.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the Falcons scored easy layups in their halfcourt offense and on fastbreaks for a 44-26 advantage in points in the paint. Their inside advantage led to 46 percent shooting from the floor and offset the edge Chowan held in free throw shooting attempts. The Hawks made 22 of 29 free throw attempts compared to 14 of 21 for the Falcons.

Both teams will meet again on January 6, 2014. This time the Falcons will be home inside Emery Gymnasium for a 7:30 p.m. start. After five straight away games, the Falcons return to Emery Gymnasium on Saturday, December 7, 2013 against Virginia University of Lynchburg in Raleigh, N.C. at 4 p.m.

"We are looking forward to returning home," Sheals said. "We won three in a row, the kids have gained their confidence and they have learned how to win on the road."