GREENWOOD, SC – West Bladen grad Rahu Purdie fired in 20 points Friday night to lead his Lander Bearcats to an 83-78 double overtime Peach Belt Conference victory over Georgia Southwestern.
Purdie connected on 3 of 4 3-point attempts and sank 7 of 8 free throws. The sophmore guard dished out 3 assists and had one steal.
Purdie nailed back-to-back 3-point shots and hit 2 free throws to give Lander a 15-7 lead with 15:44 left in the first half. Georgia Southwestern answered with a 36-19 surge to take a 43-34 halftime lead.
The Bearcats began the second half with a 10-2 run that sliced the deficit to 45-44. Purdie popped in a jumper during the run.
Purdie sank 2 free throws with 3:50 left that edged Lander in front 57-56. Another Purdie 3-pointer kept the Bearcats within 61-60, and a Purdie free throw with 17 seconds on the clock sent the game to overtime tied 63-63.
The White Oak native started the first overtime with a jump shot and 2 free throws that gave the Bearcats a 67-65 lead. Southwestern rallied to tie the game 71-71 and force a second overtime.
A pair of Purdie assists produced 3-point baskets for J. R. Washington as the Bearcats outscored the Hurricanes 12-7 in the second extra period to take the win.
Purdie pumped in 16 points Wednesday night, but the Bearcats dropped an 89-80 Peach Belt decision to Clayton State. He made 7 of 9 free throws, 4 of 9 field goals, dished out 3 assists and had 2 steals.
Purdie tossed in 3 free throws and a jump shot in the first half that ended with Clayton State on top 41-33. The 5-9 guard threw in 4 free throws and a jump shot to pull the Bearcats to within 62-59 with 8:30 remaining.
Another jump shot by Purdie kept Lander within 71-66, and a Purdie 3-point bomb trimmed the margin to 84-80 with 29 seconds left.
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