 "Photo: UWG Athletics")
Senior forward Jeremy Smith sacrificed his body on Feb. 24, diving to the floor twice in the last six seconds of the game to secure the ball and a victory for the University of West Georgia men’s basketball team. The Wolves were pushed to the final second by the Carver Cougars, whose quick-strike and high-speed offense nearly spoiled Senior Night in the Coliseum.
“It was an exciting game and good win for our guys,” said UWG head coach Michael Cooney. “We would have liked to have played better than we did, but this game was about our seniors and it turned into a night they will never forget.”
Amazing performances from UWG senior forwards Smith and John Pringle would prove to be the difference as both finished the game with double-doubles. Pringle dominated the paint, scoring 32 points and grabbing 14 rebounds. Pringle recorded his sixth double-double of the season and the ninth overall for his career. Along with the game saving defensive plays, Smith knocked down the game winning free-throw on his way to scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Smith’s gutsy performance would mark his first career double-double at West Georgia.
“The two plays that Jeremy laid out for the ball sealed the win for us,” said Cooney. “Our guys left it all on the court tonight and I am proud of the way they played.”
Carver got out to a fast start, going on an 11-3 run to open the first four minutes of the game. West Georgia answered with physical post-play from Pringle and monster dunks from Smith and junior guard Justin Cummings to take the lead at 16-15 with eleven minutes remaining in the opening period. The two teams would trade baskets and the lead five times over the next five minutes before Carver extended their lead to 36-27 with 2:15 remaining in the first half. West Georgia responded with a flurry of offense, attacking the rim and getting to the free throw line five times to close out the half with a 38-36 lead.
UWG attempted to slow down the tempo of the game in the first half to neutralize Carver’s speed. Determined to not fall any further behind, Cooney turned the Wolves’ offense loose, and both teams played at a fast and furious pace in the second half.
West Georgia went to Pringle early and often out of the break. His dominance in the post opened up the floor for the rest of the team as Cummings and junior guard Deon Sims would knock down big three-pointers to extend the Wolves’ lead to 67-59 with 12:04 to go. With the momentum shifting to West Georgia, Carver answered with their own clutch three-point shooting, eventually retaking the lead at 73-72 with 8:54 remaining in the game. Both teams would trade baskets and the lead six times over the next four minutes.
West Georgia finally seized momentum of the game with five minutes remaining. Pringle and Smith took over down the stretch scoring 10 of the team’s final 14 points to close out the win. Cougars sophomore guard Cory Evans scored 31 points to keep his team in the game, including a lay-up to take the lead at 95-94 with 55 seconds to go.
Trailing by one and needing to score in a hurry, Sims slashed to the rim and was fouled while attempting a lay-up. He stepped to the line with 34 seconds remaining in the game, and knocked down his second free throw after missing the first, to tie the game at 95 points.
The Wolves implemented a full court press, attempting to get a quick turnover with time dwindling away. Carver inbounded the ball and evaded West Georgia’s defensive pressure long enough to advance the ball across half court.
Seconds later, Smith intercepted a Cougar pass and raced to the other end of the floor. With defenders closing in on him, Smith took to the air attempting a game winning lay-up and was fouled with only six seconds remaining in the game. Despite his free throw struggles all season, Smith stepped to the line with a chance to knock down the game, clinching free throws. The crowd groaned as his first shot rattled off the back of the rim. With the game on the line, Smith knocked down his second free throw, hitting nothing but net.
Carver inbounded the ball quickly and frantically dribbled up court before Smith knocked the ball loose. He laid out to retrieve it, but the ball rolled out of bounds with 2.9 seconds remaining. On the following play, Smith knocked away the inbound pass from Cougar sophomore guard James Barbee, and the two players scrambled to the floor to gain possession of the ball as the final horn sounded. The Wolves won 96-95.
West Georgia improved their record to 13-13 on the season and will play their last game on the road at number eight ranked Valdosta State Saturday night. If the Wolves can pull off the upset and Alabama-Huntsville beats West Alabama the same day, then West Georgia will advance to play in the Gulf South Conference Tournament.
“I know a lot of people have already counted us out,” said Cooney. “Even though the odds makers are against us, anything can happen in one game.”
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