COLUMBUS, GA – West Bladen grad Rahu Purdie poured in a team-high 24 points Sunday as his Lander Bearcats won the Peach Belt Conference Tournament with an 87-86 double overtime victory over Augusta University. Purdie was named to the All-Tournament Team.
With the victory Lander, a team that was picked 12th out of 14 teams in the league’s pre-season coaches poll, added the Peach Belt Tournament championship to their PBC Eastern Division regular-season title and earned a berth in the 2016 NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Purdie connected on 8 of 10 shots from the floor, nailed 3 of his 4 three-point attempts and sank all 5 of his foul shots. He also had 2 rebounds and a steal.
The White Oak native fired in 15 points during a 17-9 Bearcat spurt that stretched a 15-9 Lander lead to 32-18. Purdie drilled a 3-point shot to start the run then dropped in a lay-up and hit 2 free throws.
Purdie bombed in another 3-pointer then popped in a jumper, was fouled and tacked on the free throw for the 32-18 lead with 3:18 left in the half.
Lander led 33-25 at halftime, but the Jaguars rode a 19-9 surge to a 44-42 lead. Purdie’s jump shot tied the game 44-44 with 13:46 left in regulation.
The Bearcats edged ahead 53-51 before Purdie buried a 3-point shot from the left wing to push the lead to 56-51 with 7:41 remaining.
Augusta went back on top 59-57, before Scott Elder’s free throws tied the game 59-59. After a Jaguar turnover, Purdie drove for a lay-up and a 61-59 lead with 45 seconds on the clock. The score was tied 62-62 at the end of regulation.
After J. R. Washington threw in a pair of 3-point shots to put Lander ahead in the first overtime, Purdie stole the ball and raced for a lay-up and a 73-67 Bearcat lead with 1:57 left in the extra period.
Augusta battled back to tie the game 75-75 and force the second overtime. Washington scored 6 points in the second overtime including the game-winner on a follow with 2 seconds left.
Washington posted a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds and was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player.
In Saturday’s 71-70 semi-final win over Montevallo, Washington recorded another double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds.
Purdie drained a pair of 3-point shots and scored 8 points against Montevallo.
Lander improved to 22-9 with the victory and will now wait for the NCAA Division II pairings.
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