Eagles Avoid Upset With 60-58 Opening Win Over Lander

    ROCK HILL, SC--Tywan Harris connected on back-to-back three-pointers in overtime to help the Winthrop Eagles defeat Lander 60-58 and avoid an upset in its season opener.

    Lander, a NCAA Div. II school, had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but a tight Eagle defense forced the Senators’ Chuck Hendrix to fire up a desperation three-pointer as time expired.

    Harris’ first trey in overtime gave Winthrop a 57-55 lead with 2:18 left to play. A three-pointer by Lander’s Tally Loyd with 1:45 on the clock reclaimed the lead for the Senators at 58-57 with 1:45 on the clock, Harris hit what proved to be the game winner with 67 seconds left in overtime.

    Winthrop’s win overshadowed strong performances by Lander’s threesome of Adrian Penland, Tony Ferris and Loyd Tally who scored 17, 15 and 14 points respectively. The 6-10 Ferris also pulled down a game-high 14 rebounds. The Eagles were led in scoring by Tyrone Walker with 15 while Greg Lewis scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds.

    The Eagles led 29-21 at intermission and increased the lead to as many as 13 at 38-25 when Derrick Knox nailed a 3-pointer with 14:25 left in regulation. But Lander fought back over the next 10 minutes to outscore Winthrop 23-8 to take a 48-46 lead with 4:46 remaining. Penland, who scored eight of the 23 points, hit the go ahead trey. A rebound and follow shot by Walker tied the game at 48 and Josh Grant gave the Eagles a one point lead with a free throw inside four minutes. Ferris tied the game for Lander as he connected on one of two free throws and then Hendrix put the visitors on top as he rebounded the missed free throw and banked in a 10-footer. Derrick Knox’s three-pointer from the corner missed at the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

    The game marked the first meeting between the two former NAIA schools since the 1985-86 season. Lander still holds a 9-8 lead in the series. Winthrop will now travel to Ohio State where they will meet the Buckeyes on Sunday at 5:00 p.m.