CHARLOTTE, NC (Feb 21) – On Tuesday, Anthony Gaskins (Sr./Greenville, NC) scored 18 points including the game-winning layup with 11.1 seconds left to give Saint Augustine's University a 61-60 CIAA Tournament men's first-round victory over Lincoln (Pa.) University at Bojangles Coliseum.
Quincy January, named Food Lion MVP after the game, (Jr./Atlanta, GA) added 15 points and 11 rebounds for his fifth consecutive double-double and 15th overall this season. Kenneth Collins (Jr./Clayton, NC) chipped in 10 points for the Falcons, who face Fayetteville State University in a second-round game on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at Bojangles Coliseum at 6:40 p.m.
Gaskins put the Falcons (13-15 overall) ahead for good on a running layup off the glass over a Lincoln defender. He started his drive in the paint after eluding two Lincoln players who attempted to deny him the ball before reaching midcourt.
"I saw a wide-open lane," Gaskins said. "I figured I could go the basket and get a foul. I ended up getting the basket."
The Falcons forced a turnover with 2.3 seconds left to secure the victory. A wide-open Jquwan Ruffin (R-Fr./Ahoskie, NC) ran out the clock after catching a length-of-the court inbounds pass.
The victory was the third in four games for the Falcons, who are seeded sixth in the Southern Division. Nine losses have been by five points or less which prepared them for the stretch run against the Lions.
The Falcons trailed 53-52 with 4:45 left but went on a 6-0 run for a 58-53 lead with 3:06 remaining. The run consisted of two Gaskins free throws, a Collins layup and a January jumper.
The Lions (7-20 overall), the No. 5 Northern Division seed, rallied to take a 59-58 lead on a three-pointer, free throw and jumper by Joshua Davis, who led all scorers with 21 points. Gaskins tied the game on a free throw but the Lions regained the lead 60-59 on a Davis free throw with 1:16 remaining.
After rebounding a Falcons miss, the Lions had possession with a one-point lead but the Falcons relied on their tenacious defense to deny the Lions a basket. Ranked among the conference's and nation's best at defending the basket, the Falcons forced a shot-clock violation.
After calling timeout with 18.3 seconds left, Gaskins went to work. A clutch shooter throughout his career, the All-CIAA guard came through for the Falcons once again. He also added seven assists in the victory.
His basket was the perfect ending to a contest featuring 14 lead changes and 15 ties. Neither team led by more than seven points.
"We've been through a lot of close games," Falcons Head Coach MarQus Johnson said. "I knew this game would be close. We kept pushing and fighting, and it worked out in our favor."
The Falcons faced adversity in the first half when January rolled his ankle. He left the game momentarily and did not start the second half but stepped up on both ends of the floor for the Falcons.
"The injury hurts, but losing hurts even more," January said. "I wanted to help my team as much as I could."
The Falcons expect another tight game Wednesday against familiar foe Fayetteville State, the No. 4 Southern Division seed. They split the season series with both games decided by two points on last-second shots.
Based on their play against Lincoln, the Falcons are ready for the challenge.
