MEN'S BASKETBALL WINS THRILLING SEASON OPENER

CUTHBERT, Ga. – After a 13-year layoff, the Andrew College Men's Basketball program tipped things off in the right direction in its first week, with a thrilling come from behind 62-59 victory on Wednesday over Southern Crescent Technical College.

Against Southern Crescent, Andrew College trailed 59-58 with just 38 seconds remaining, however, Dereck Lampkin managed to steal the ball in the frontcourt to get to the free throw line where he connected on both free throws to give Andrew the one-point lead. Needing a defensive stop on the ensuing possession, Jalin Wimberly, a 6-foot-4 freshman from Leesburg, Ga., jumped into the passing line and dove on top of a loose ball while getting fouled in the process. Wimberly managed to knock down both free throws to end the scoring for the night.

"It is always good to win, and it is even more exciting to get the first win out of the way," Andrew College head coach Jamie Brooks said. "We didn't play well in a lot of areas, but I'll chalk that up to it being the first collegiate game for every single one of our student-athletes. We had some guys come off the bench that added a spark, but I thought a huge help was our energy when guys are on the bench. We want to play for each other and seeing guys cheering for their teammates is a lot of fun to watch. The most important things it that we found a way to win."

Andrew led by just four points at halftime and the two teams swapped leads several times late in the contest, but Andrew's 19 bench points proved pivotal down the stretch.

Wimberly led the way for Andrew College in its first game, scoring 20 points and grabbing nine rebounds, while 6-foot guard Quentavious Dean from Cordele, Ga. Added 15 points off the bench. Lampkin added 12 points and grabbed five rebounds, while Marcus Kirkland had five points, with Ijon Owens and Lawrence Collins each adding four.

"Our team absolutely loved the crowd we had come out for our first game in 13 years and we want to thank the community and college for the tremendous support," said Brooks. "We strive to do things the right way and hopefully we put a good product out on the floor and represented the college well. I'm proud of our guys and hope this is just the start of exciting things to come in Cuthbert, Georgia."