MORROW, GA – White Oak native Rahu Purde hit a key 3-point shot and scored 9 points as his Lander Bearcats upset top-seeded Clayton State 89-86 in double-overtime Saturday to advance to the Peach Belt Conference semi-finals.
The Bearcats, the No. 4 seed in the PBC East, will now host UNC-Pembroke, Saturday at 1 p.m.
Purdie bombed in a 3-point shot two minutes into the first half that finished with Clayton State up 31-30. A Purdie lay-up with 12:51 left in regulation kept Lander within 41-40.
The West Bladen grad sank a free throw with 2:16 on the clock to put the Bearcats ahead 64-60, but Clayton State hit 2 free throws with 12 seconds left to send the game to overtime.
Purdie nailed a 3-point shot to put Lander ahead 76-73 with 2:25 remaining in overtime, but Clayton State tied the game again on a 3-point shot late in the first overtime.
Clenzo Ross dropped in a lay-up and a trio of free throws in the final minute of the second overtime to lift the Bearcats to the victory.
Purdie also grabbed 3 rebounds and dished out one assist.
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