RIO GRANDE, Ohio — WVU Tech men's basketball delivered its most resilient performance of the season Saturday afternoon, erasing a 19-point first-half deficit and capping the comeback with a buzzer-beating three to defeat Carolina University 90–89 in overtime at the Bevo Francis Classic.
Carolina opened the day on a blistering 21-for-34 clip in the first half and led 46–33 at the break. The Bruins pushed the lead to as many as 19 late in the period, fueled by dominant paint scoring and transition baskets.
WVU Tech (2–6) responded with one of its strongest halves of the year, outscoring Carolina 45–32 after halftime. The Golden Bears shot 68 percent from the field in the second half and used five made threes — including two from Trayten Woods and one each from Liam Craven, Graham Orndoff and Max Kellum — to climb back into the game.
Tech tied the score six times in the second half and eventually forced overtime behind steady free-throw shooting from Brandon Moore and timely baskets from Cole Chapman, Woods and Jackson Tackett.
Carolina (2–6) regained a small edge early in overtime, but Tech countered with a layup from Woods, a finish from Tackett and three free throws from Moore to pull even at 87–87 with 1:21 remaining. The Bruins went back ahead 89–87 on a basket with nineteen seconds left.
Out of the final timeout, WVU Tech executed cleanly. Moore found Woods, who knocked down the game-winning three as time expired, giving the Golden Bears their first overtime victory of the season.
Moore led all scorers with 27 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals while going 13-of-14 at the free-throw line. Woods delivered a huge lift off the bench with 24 points, including five threes. Chapman added 12 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals while playing all 40 regulation minutes plus overtime.
Tackett finished with 10 points and five rebounds, Craven added six points, and Kellum, Orndoff, Morgan, Johnson and Goebel each contributed key minutes in the comeback.
WVU Tech shot 48.4 percent from the field, 42.1 percent from three and 80 percent from the foul line. The Golden Bears posted 16 points off turnovers, held Carolina to 23.1 percent from three in the second half, and overcame a 58–38 deficit in points in the paint.
Carolina was led by Tristan Kuska's 19 points and Julius Lymon's 16 points. The Bruins shot 50 percent from the field and pulled down 46 rebounds, including 18 on the offensive glass.
📊 Season Totals (through Nov. 22)
Record: 2–6 overall
Team Averages
- Points per game: 75.5
- Rebounds per game: 35.3
- Assists per game: 12.9
- Field Goal %: 46.7 | 3PT %: 33.1 | FT %: 71.9
Team Leaders
🗓 What's Next
WVU Tech returns home to Van Meter Gym on Saturday, December 6, hosting Appalachian Bible. The Golden Bears then open River States Conference play on Wednesday, December 10 at Shawnee State.
