Feb. 13, 2008

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) College junior guard George White hit a pair of free throws with 26.6 seconds left to give the Blue Raiders a 71-70 upset win over No. 1-ranked Mountain State (W.Va.) University on Tuesday night (Feb. 12) at Biggers Sports Center.

Mountain State senior forward Tyrice Watkins missed the potential game-winning three-pointer as time expired as the Cougars (24-1) lose for the first time this season.

After closing the first half with a 7-0 run, the Blue Raiders (16-9) took a 40-37 lead into the locker room. Lindsey Wilson extended its lead to eight (50-42) with 15:46 left before the Cougars mounted a comeback.

Mountain State used an 11-1 run over the next four minutes to briefly regain a one-point lead (53-52) with 11:28 remaining.

After exchanging baskets over the next three minutes, White and Lindsey Wilson senior guard Donte' Williams hit bookend three-pointers to give the Blue Raiders a 64-58 lead with 6:41 left. White finished with 24 points while Williams ended with 20.

Mountain State refused to go away.

The Cougars closed within one with 1:24 left after senior center Jason McGriff hit a pair of free throws to cut the Lindsey Wilson lead to 69-68.

After a Lindsey Wilson turnover, McGriff slammed the Cougars back into the lead with 47.3 seconds. McGriff finished with a game-high 25 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the field. He also grabbed 10 rebounds for the double-double.

White was fouled -- attacking the basket -- in the Blue Raiders next possession setting up the game-winning free throws.

Lindsey Wilson out-rebounded the Cougars 37-20, including 16 offensive boards. The Blue Raiders turned the extra possessions into 14 second-chance points.

Mountain State shot 49.1 percent (26-of-53) from the field, including 37.5 percent (6-of-16) from beyond the three-point arc. The Cougars made just 1-of-6 from deep after the break.

The Blue Raiders finished making 41.3 percent (26-of-63) of their shots. Lindsey Wilson -- who shoots 64.9 percent from the free throw line on the season -- made 11-of-12 freebies in winning its 12th straight at home.

Mountain State senior guard James Spencer -- the NAIA's leading scorer at 25.1 points per game -- finished with 21 on 7-of-17 shooting.

Lindsey Wilson returns to action at 4 p.m. CT on Saturday, February 16, as the Blue Raiders host University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) at Biggers Sports Center.