Tunstalle Scores 35, Hits Game-Winner vs. Shepherd - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Senior forward Damien Tunstalle hit a three-pointer with just six seconds left in regulation to cap off a career-game and lift the Concord University men's basketball team to a 78-77 victory over Shepherd Saturday. Tunstalle made nine three-pointers and scored a career-high 35 points.

Tunstalle's nine three-pointers are tied for the second most by a player in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this year and his 35 points is the ninth-highest total.

The Beckley, W. Va. native was Concord's driving force to the much-needed conference victory, snapped a two-game losing streak. In addition to making 9-of-13 three-pointers (11-for-18 overall) and going 4-for-4 from the foul line, Tunstalle also produced team-bests of six rebounds and two steals.

After an evenly played first half that concluded with Concord leading 35-34, CU was able to further extend its lead to seven points at 58-51 before an 18-9 Shepherd run put the Rams on top 67-59 with the momentum firmly on their side and 9:01 left in the game.

Tunstalle answered by scoring 13 of Concord's final 19 points. The Maroon and Gray cut the deficit to just four points, 77-73, with 2:22 showing on the clock and Tunstalle followed up by drawing a foul with 1:49 to play, connecting on both foul shots to make it a 77-75 contest.

It seemed as if the upset bid may stop there as Shepherd was able to drain over a minute off the clock on its next possession and CU would turn the ball over when they did get the ball back to give the Rams the ball with 25 seconds left.

However, freshman guard Cam Shannon turned the game around in an instant by coming away with a steal on the ensuing play that led to a Concord timeout down one with 15 seconds to play. Tunstalle came out of the timeout to drain the game-winner with six seconds remaining en route to the 78-77 triumph.

The win improved Concord's record to 12-9 overall and 8-9 in the WVIAC. With five games remaining in the season, Concord is still alive to host a first round WVIAC Tournament match-up. Shepherd falls to 13-9 overall and 10-8 in the WVIAC.

As a team, Concord shot 50.9 percent (28-for-55) from the field and 12-for-17 from the foul line. Shepherd won the rebounding battle, 35-30, but made only 7-of-11 foul shots

A pair of Mountain Lion freshmen also stepped up with big offensive performances Saturday when Shannon and forward Nick Moyer supplied Concord with personal-best scoring totals of 14 and 11 points. The duo combined to shoot 9-of-17 from the field and 6-of-7 from the free throw line while each player grabbed four rebounds.

Sophomore guard Mike Boyd had five assists and no turnovers.

Chad Moore and Brantley Osborne scored 20 and 19 points, respectively in the loss.

Concord will play four of its final five games of the season at home starting with a 5:30 p.m. meeting with Davis & Elkins on Feb. 11.