Gaston College takes dramatic overtime victory at Walters State

Gaston College got key free throws and defensive stops on Friday to win 72-69 in overtime at Walters State to improve to 2-0 on the season.

The Rhinos forced two Walters State misses in the final seconds of regulation to force overtime, then got defensive stops on six of nine overtime possesions to come away with the victory.

Asil Hoyle hit two free throws with 20.8 seconds left and Caleb McCarty two free throws with 1.1 seconds left to help Gaston College hold off a Senators' rally.

Hoyle (17 points, 2 assists), DaMarco Watson (13 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists), McCarty (10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 blocked shots), Jordan Guthrie (8 points, 2 assists), Jamal Ukaegbu (8 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists) and Dedrick Givens (8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists) led Gaston College.

"DaMarco really understands what we're trying to do offensively and defensively he's our quarterback on the court," Gaston College coach Jamie Rosser said. "Asil is going to be a really good player for us he has been solid this far. Asil really has a knack to score and a great feel for the game in his early career! He has a ton of work to do but we're glad he's on our team."

McCarty was playing the first big minutes since getting the flu two weeks ago.

"Caleb McCarty came up with big blocks and big-time tough rebounds for us tonight," Rosser said. "Tonight's game was won on the defensive side of the ball and I'm most proud of our guys for that," Rosser said. "Jamal Ukaegbu had a lot to do with that down the stretch.
"Tomorrow will be an even bigger challenge with a very good Motlow State team."

The Rhinos led by as many as 11 points early in the second half before Walters State took a 56-54 lead with 6:21 left in regulation.

The teams were never separated by more than four points for the final 13:39 of regulation and all five minutes of overtime.

The win came against one of the winningest coaches in junior college history in Bill Carlyle, who is 925-419 in 45 years at Walters State and has more than 1,000 head coaching victories overall and nearly 1,250 wins including his time as an assistant coach and head coach.

"Tonight, we had the pleasure of playing against legendary coach Bill Carlyle," Rosser said. "This is a big time win for our program a quality win that we can be proud of. We knew going in that this team would be well coached and prepared, tonight's game was fun to be a part of. At any given moment either team could make a run and take the game."

Gaston College plays again on Saturday when it meets Motlow State of Tennessee at 4 p.m. in the final day of the Walters State Tip-Off Tournament.

The Rhinos return home on Wednesday to meet Combine Academy of Lincolnton at 8 p.m. at the Ashbrook High School gymnasium.