HATTIESBURG, Miss. — William Carey University overcame an early deficit to beat Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College 99-90 on Saturday afternoon. The game featured a fast pace, with both teams exchanging leads throughout the first half.
ABAC’s Bryce Wimberly scored first, but Randarius Hughes responded immediately, setting the tone for a back-and-forth contest. The Stallions relied on Nate Mobley, who scored eight early points, including two layups, helping ABAC take a 12-9 lead within five minutes.
Carey answered each run. An Arzika Seibou layup, a Hughes block, and a follow-up tip-in gave the Crusaders a brief lead. The teams traded blows all half long, with 13 lead changes, before Hughes tipped in a shot at the buzzer for a 40-38 halftime advantage for ABAC.
The Crusaders came out strong in the second half, scoring nine of the first 13 points to go ahead 47-44. Carey responded with a 6-0 run, featuring a jumper from Anthony Richards, a layup by Jamar Jenkins, and a jumper from Malik Franklin, pushing the lead to 66-54 with 12 minutes remaining.
Two minutes later, Seibou’s layup expanded the margin to 73-56. ABAC made multiple pushes, trimming the deficit to 12 points several times, but each rally was met with a Crusaders answer. In the final minute, ABAC made a last push, with Tommie Hall hitting a three-pointer and Matthew Mairena making free throws to cut the score to 95-88. However, Carey sealed the victory with a late layup from Dunn and free throws, forcing 19 turnovers and scoring 31 points off turnovers. Five Crusaders scored in double figures, led by Dunn’s 22 points. Franklin added 21, Seibou 16, Jenkins 14, and Hughes 10.
William Carey will next face Faulkner University on Thursday, February 12, in Montgomery at 7:30 p.m., in a key conference game.
