Box Score
ROME, Ga.-The Belhaven men's basketball team upset third ranked Southern Polytechnic State University 71-69 in the quarterfinals of the Southern States Athletic Conference tournament in Rome, GA Thursday afternoon. The Blazers held their breath at the end of the game as Southern Poly's Jesse Childs' potential game winning triple fell off the mark at the buzzer sending Belhaven to the semifinals. The Blazers now find themselves a win away from clinching an automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament.

The game stayed tight all the way through with neither team able to generate the decisive run to grab the momentum. Belhaven (15-15) senior forward Brittion Smith cashed in the first two points of the afternoon giving the Blazers a 2-0 lead with just under two minutes gone by in the game. Southern Poly (24-6) grabbed the lead for the first time at 5-4 following a triple by Childs, initiating nine minutes of back and forth basketball.

The Hornet's eventually went up 21-13 on a triple by Cortez Irby that was answered by a 6-0 Belhaven run that closed the gap back to 21-19 with 7:01 to play until the break. The Hornets responded with five straight points to pull ahead 26-19, but then junior guard Jordan Butts began what would be a 9-0 scoring burst for the Blazers on a triple with 5:29 to go in the half. Belhaven shot back in front 28-26 when freshman guard Datodrick Pinkston recorded a put back bucket on a rebound off a missed shot by Howard. Another brief 5-0 run by Southern Poly resulted in another lead change, but the Blazers finished the half strong on a 9-2 run that was capped by another put back bucket from Pinkston. The outcome was a 37-33 Blazer edge as both teams went into the locker room.

Southern Poly put up the first four points of the second half to tie the game as the back and forth play continued through the first six minutes of the second half. The Blazers were able to establish a 49-44 advantage on a three point bucket by Howard and would stay on top the rest of the afternoon, although the Hornet's continued to stay within striking distance. Belhaven's largest lead of the night at 56-47 occurred with 9:09 to go on a basket by Smith.

In the final minute, the outcome appeared to be decided when Howard sunk a couple of free throws to make it a 70-63 scored in favor of Belhaven with 29 seconds showing on the clock. However, the Hornets got four points back in one possession when Bobby Smith tossed in a free throw and a triple to cut the gap to 70-67. Howard then went to the line and converted one of two shots before Irby quickly raced down the floor where he found the bottom of the net for Southern Poly. Clinging to a 71-69 lead after a pair of missed free throws by Howard, Belhaven could only watch as Childs hoisted a three at the buzzer that went off target finalizing the upset victory.

Howard came up big for Belhaven (15-15) recording a game high 22 points while pulling down 11 rebounds. Senior forward Daryl Arnold also claimed a double double thanks to 12 points and a game high 13 rebounds. Smith stepped up big as well pouring in 18 points and nearly was the third Blazer with a double double, grabbing nine boards. Sophomore guard Chris Cofield contributed eight points and four steals.

Belhaven bounced back after the four straight losses with a solid game shooting from the floor. The Blazers hit 47.5 percent of their field goals (29 for 61) while the defense held the Hornet's to a 34.1 percent clip (28 for 82). Belhaven had slight rebounding edge of 47 to 44.

Southern Polytechnic State (24-6) was led by Bobby Smith with 17 points followed by Cortez Irby with 16, and Ashton Pitts had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the double double. The Hornet's, one of the most prolific three point shooting teams in the nation coming in, went 9 for 45 on long range jumpers Thursday afternoon. Southern Poly was second in the NAIA in three point baskets made coming into the game (296).

Belhaven will meet up with Loyola University in the semifinals Friday afternoon beginning at 3:00 PM. The Wolfpack derailed Emmanuel 84-75 to punch their ticket to the final four. Friday's game will be the third meeting of the season with Belhaven and Loyola each winning on its home floor. Fans can follow all the action through live stats by clicking here.