Anderson, Wingate Advance to SAC Basketball Championship Men’s Final

No. 1 seed Anderson and No. 3 seed Wingate each won overtime thrillers on Saturday in the semifinals of the 2012 Food Lion SAC Men's Basketball Championship. They will meet in the Championship's final on Sunday at 2 p.m. Click here for recaps of both games.

Jones' Heroics Lift Anderson Past Newberry in Double-OT Thriller

[Box Score] [Press Conference]

HICKORY, N.C. - Anderson junior Denzail Jones scored a SAC Championship-record 50 points, making a litany of big shots as the top-seeded Trojans outlasted No. 4 seed Newberry, 113-106, in double overtime in the 2012 Food Lion SAC Men's Basketball Championship semifinals.

Jones' scoring output included 16 of Anderson's 19 points in the first overtime, and was just one point shy of the all-time SAC record of 51. This season's SAC Player of the Year made 21 of his 31 field goal attempts - both of which were conference records.

The game's first overtime was forced by a heavily-guarded three-pointer from Newberry's Quayshun Hawkins that just beat the buzzer. The Wolves then used the momentum from the buzzer beater to build an early lead in the first extra period, but the Trojans - led by Jones - battled back, eventually forcing a second overtime on a late three-pointer by senior Tyrell McDowell.

Anderson then pulled away late in the second overtime to reach Sunday's final.

Newberry consistently pressed the Anderson zone, making 19 three-pointers, including seven by Hawkins. The Wolves appeared to be on the verge of the upset, building a 10-point lead midway through the second half. But Anderson answered with a 22-5 run, getting back in the game and forcing the thrilling finish.

The game's final numbers speak for themself: 13 lead changes, seven ties and a combined 219 points, the second-highest combined total in SAC Championship history.

Anderson's 113 points were a Championship record, as were Hawkins' 18 three-point attempts.

Jones' record-breaking performance for Anderson was complimented by teammate Taylor Shugart, who finished with 27 points and a game-high 19 rebounds. AU also forced 25 Newberry turnovers.

Newberry was led by Hawkins' 30 points, while freshmen Dondray Walker and Savad Garner both finished with 18.

Anderson's first-ever berth in the championship game comes in just its second season of competition in the SAC.

Second Half Rally Pushes Wingate over Lincoln Memorial

[Box Score] [Press Conference]

HICKORY, N.C. - After trailing by as many as 13 points midway through the second half, No. 3 seed Wingate turned up its defensive pressure and staged a late rally, ultimately defeating No. 2 seed Lincoln Memorial in overtime, 64-60, to earn a spot in the 2012 Food Lion SAC Men's Basketball Championship final.

Wingate found itself down 44-31 at the 8:50 mark in the second half and was struggling to keep the Railsplitters out of the paint. However, Wingate turned up its pressure, switching to a tempo-changing press defense to spark the comeback.

The Bulldogs closed regulation on a 22-9 run, capped by a game-tying three pointer by Paidrick Matilus with 1:21 remaining that knotted the contest at 53-53. Both teams went scoreless on their final possessions, forcing the extra period.

Wingate then hit all three of its field goals and five-of-six free throws in overtime to advance to the championship game for the second-straight year.

The Bulldogs' staunch defense limited LMU to just 35.2-percent shooting for the game and forced 18 turnovers. Both teams struggled from long range, going a combined two-of-21.

Matilus led Wingate with 16 points, while forward Odell Turner scored 15. WU guard Jaime Vaughn scored all 10 of his points in the second half.

Lincoln Memorial was led by Wally Jones, who finished with 14 points and four assists.

After falling to LMU in last season's championship game, the Bulldogs will be looking to earn their first SAC Championship title since 2007.