Country Road Comeback: SSU overcomes 17-point deficit against WV Tech; Belton's block leads to Gardner's game-winning layup in transition in 70-69 victory

BECKLEY, W. Va. -- Throughout Mike Hunter's early stints at Shawnee State, the Bears have never disappointed in providing frantic and inspiring finishes.

Considering the circumstances, however, the discussion could certainly be had that Tuesday evening's victory was among the biggest of Hunter's early time leading the men's basketball program at Shawnee State.

In a critical contest where Shawnee State entered the day in a three-way tie with West Virginia Tech and Midway (Ky.) for the fourth position in the River States Conference East Division Standings, SSU struggled against West Virginia Tech to start as the visiting Bears allowed WV Tech to shoot 66.7 percent from the field and 81.8 percent from three-point range in the opening half.

However, SSU rallied in a big way.

Down by a 47-30 margin with 17:37 to play, Shawnee State answered with a 13-0 run over a span of 4:41 to cut WV Tech's lead to a 47-43 count -- then rallied from an 11-point deficit (56-45) with 9:23 remaining to within three, 60-57, with 4:13 left in the River States Conference matchup.

From that point onward, the lead was never more than five -- setting up a frantic fight to the finish.

With the game tied at 66 apiece after Shawnee State senior guard Tre Beard nailed a three-pointer and connected on a runner in the lane to score five straight points for SSU, Hunter's group locked down in a big way on West Virginia Tech's return trip up the floor.

WV Tech senior guard Darrin Martin -- who had scored the Golden Bears' last six points, drove into the middle of the paint and attempted to loft up a floater. Martin's shot, however, was sent back by senior forward AJ Belton.

The resulting rejection by Belton was emphatic enough that the ball sailed right into the hands of a waiting Cory Gardner -- who rolled uncontested all the way to the rack for the go-ahead layup with 20 seconds left. Gardner then not only stole the ensuing inbounds pass on a sideout by West Virginia Tech's Adam Seams, but drove all the way in for another layup, sealing the victory in an incredible fashion that saw SSU claim a 70-66 victory over West Virginia Tech Tuesday evening at the Raleigh County Convention Center in Beckley, W. Va.

Game Summary

Shawnee State (11-12, 6-5 River States Conference), as a team, shot the ball at a solid clip for much of the game and simply performed better in that department as the game wore on, shooting 50 percent (27-of-54) from the field, 42.1 percent (8-of-19) from three-point range and 80 percent (8-of-10) from the free throw line.

While West Virginia Tech (14-8, 5-6 River States Conference) shot 14-of-21 from the field, including a blistering 9-of-11 from three-point range, in the opening half of competition, Shawnee State won out as the Bears' activity in its zone defense forced West Virginia Tech into 11 second half turnovers and a 1-of-7 mark from three-point distance in the second half, as well.

By contrast, SSU committed just six second half turnovers and went a strong 16-of-28 from the field (57.1 percent) over the final 20 minutes to boot while also going 4-of-9 from three and a clutch 6-of-7 from the free throw line, as well.

With the win, Shawnee State now has sole possession of fourth place by a game in the River States Conference's East Division -- as West Virginia Tech and Midway both went down in defeat Tuesday evening. The Bears currently hold the head-to-head over Midway with its victory over the Eagles on Jan. 12 while SSU is now even up in the head-to-head against West Virginia Tech -- putting Shawnee State in control of its own destiny as SSU looks to clinch a bid in the River States Conference Tournament.

Belton's defensive play, McKee's aggressiveness on glass leads SSU rally

Shawnee State got key efforts from various talents who took the floor, but the versatility and physicality that AJ Belton and Ezra McKee showcased throughout the contest were vital to Shawnee State walking out of the Raleigh County Convention Center with a one-point win.

Belton, who came off of the bench, set a physical tone throughout much of the conference affair, but especially in the second half, where Belton frustrated reigning River States Conference Offensive Player of the Week Thomas Hailey on various occasions.

The 6-5 senior from Indianapolis, Ind. posted 12 points and three rebounds in 29 minutes off of the bench -- but it was Belton's play on Hailey that helped set the tone as Hailey, a talented forward with a versatile game in his own right, committed all five of his turnovers in the second half with Belton around on many of those.

Belton scored eight of his 12 points on a perfect 3-of-3 from the floor in the second half, scoring four consecutive Shawnee State points in a 56 second stretch, and provided the game-winning play defensively as his block on Martin's floater led to the runout and enusing layup from Gardner that helped seal the game in dramatic fashion.

As for McKee, the 6-7 junior played with a high motor throughout the contest, posting a game-high 13 rebounds and adding in a pair of blocks of his own while playing all 40 minutes of Tuesday's contest to team with Belton in setting a more physical tone in the second half. McKee also was huge offensively, notching 10 points including each of Shawnee State's first six points over the opening 4:42 of the second half to keep SSU's heartbeat alive and well.

The effort marked McKee's third double-double in 14 career games so far with Shawnee State. SSU is 3-0 in the games where McKee posts a double-double. The junior is now averaging 13 points and 6.1 rebounds on 52.8 percent shooting.

Beard, Gardner wreak own havoc up top

Continuing to lead Shawnee State with their offensive punch and their pride in playing team basketball, Shawnee State graduate students Tre Beard and Cory Gardner were, to put it simply, problems for the West Virginia Tech defense to handle.

Gardner, who posted 16 points, five assists, three steals and two rebounds for the contest on 6-of-9 shooting, notched 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting and a 2-of-2 mark from three-point range to keep West Virginia Tech honest over the course of the opening half.

The Owensboro, Ky. native then collected six points, three assists and three steals in the second half, with all six of his second half points and two of his three steals coming over the final 4:17. Gardner ultimately scored each of Shawnee State's last four points, including the go-ahead layup with 20 seconds left and the game-sealing layup off of his own steal with 10 seconds to play.

Beard was again terrific in the second half -- as the crafty veteran scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half to help will Shawnee State to the win. Beard scored seven of Shawnee State's nine points over a span of 1:22 to help trim what was a 47-30 deficit down to 47-43, then scored five straight Shawnee State points to help SSU tie the game twice (64-64 with 1:24 left; 66-66 with 45 seconds left), setting up the frenzed finish.

For the contest, Beard finished with a game-high 21 points while shooting 7-of-12 from the field, 3-of-5 from three-point range and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. The multi-year starter added in three rebounds, three assists and three steals to boot.

Like McKee, Beard and Gardner ultimately played all 40 minutes in the one-point thriller.

Additional

Donovan Lovelace scored all eight of his points in the opening half, while Preston Saia added in three points and a steal for Shawnee State, who will take on Brescia, Ky. (5-14, 3-7 River States Conference) Saturday, Feb. 8 at at 1 p.m. in Waller Gymnasium.