ROWLAND — South Robeson had to forfeit its marginal road victory over St. Pauls on Dec. 7 due to a rule violation. Friday marked the much-anticipated rematch between two of the top four teams in the Three Rivers Conference and according to senior forward Cameron Werrell, the Mustangs were optimistic despite not having their best guard and facing the league’s hottest team.

With just a few ticks left in the fourth period and the Mustangs up three, Bulldogs guard Caleb Henderson received a pass and threw up a desperation 3-pointer from the top of the key that banked in before the buzzer to force overtime. Werrell and Co. didn’t panic in the extra session, however, and closed out a 74-73 home win, giving new life for the rest of their season.

“It let us know anything is possible,” said Werrell, who finished with yet another full stat line, 17 points, 16 rebounds and four blocks.

Werrell had a slow start offensively, and had just one point in the first half. But he acknowledged it was his effort on the boards and on defense that set up his teammates’ success on offense.

“I had to step up on the defensive rebounding side and do what I had to do to win. I knew if I get in there and rebound, it’ll be better for the offensive side,” said Werrell.

The 6-foot-6 center devoured five in what was a back-and-forth first quarter. He provided outlets to guards Syncere Southern and Daniel Murray, who lifted South Robeson. Murray had a game-high 22 points and Southern added 17. Both guards knocked down a triple in the opening frame as the team trailed 17-14 heading to the second.

South Robeson (9-6, 6-4 TRC) coach Ryan Bullard praised the efforts of his guards, especially in the absence of leading scorer Kylerr Page, who missed the game because of a neck injury.

“This is the best backcourt I’ve ever coached,” Bullard said. “That says a lot about our depth…and I’m just proud of the guys for stepping up for [Page].”

In the second quarter, the visitors jumped out to an 11-3 run, capped by a Henderson layup that resulted in the widest margin of the game, 28-16 with 3:40 to go. Henderson had a team-high 17 points.

But Murray kept the score within reach and he connected on back-to-back triples that tightened the gap to 28-22 with 2:15 remaining in the half.

Southern provided big plays in the second half as he chopped what was a nine-point halftime deficit to just three when he nailed a 3-pointer to make the score 37-34 with 5:23 left in the period. In the fourth quarter, Southern grabbed a steal and put it in to get within two points, 65-63, with 1:46 left, then Murray hit a pair of free throws to take the first lead, 67-65, just moments later.

Werrell dropped 10 points in the period, including a free throw that gave them a 68-65 advantage that set up the game-tying triple from Henderson.

St. Pauls (12-6, 9-3 TRC) coach Corey Thompson wasn’t discouraged by his group’s effort, despite seeing the eight-game win streak coming to an end.

“Like I told the guys, ‘Adversity is going to happen, that’s just part of life…and I thought we fought until the end and that’s all I can ask for,” he said.

Up next, South Robeson travels to Whiteville next Friday, while St. Pauls hosts Fairmont.

Lady Mustangs and Lady Bulldogs game ends abruptly

The rematch between the St. Pauls girls basketball team and South Robeson on Friday came to a screeching halt midway through the third quarter as a dead-ball altercation between two players quickly turned into a bench-clearing brawl. Game officials met with both coaches and decided to call the game with the Lady Bulldogs up 21-19.

Before the incident, St. Pauls guard T.J. Eichelberger knocked down three triples in the period and the Lady Bulldogs took their first lead after trailing 15-10 at the half.

Lady Mustangs forward Zaneta Ellerbee stole an inbound pass and scored on a layup to give them the five-point halftime advantage.

As of Friday evening, there is no official word on the ramifications for players and coaches involved.

Donnell Coley | The Robesonian South Robeson’s Cameron Werrell flies in to attempt a block against St. Pauls’ Marqueise Coleman on Friday in the Mustangs’ overtime win.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/web1_DSC_0956.jpgDonnell Coley | The Robesonian South Robeson’s Cameron Werrell flies in to attempt a block against St. Pauls’ Marqueise Coleman on Friday in the Mustangs’ overtime win.
Bulldogs fall to South Robeson in OT, girls game called early due to fight

By Donnell Coley

Staff writer

Donnell Coley can be reached at 910-416-5165 or by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @Sportsinmyveins.