PEMBROKE, N.C. – Flagler College held the lead over No. 19 (NABC Division II Top 25) University of North Carolina Pembroke for almost the entire game, but UNCP had the lead when it mattered most as it rallied for a 65-64 win Saturday afternoon in a Peach Belt Conference East Division men's game basketball game at the English E. Jones Center.

UNC Pembroke improved to 18-3 on the season and 9-3 in the Peach Belt on "Military Appreciation Day." Flagler lost its third game in a row and fell to 8-11 overall and 3-9 in conference play. The Saints have lost all six contests played at UNC Pembroke.

The loss for Flagler today could rival that of the triple-overtime loss at UNCP (Feb. 5, 2011). The Saints held the lead for 37:39 and the score was tied for just 1:11. Flagler held a commanding 38-23 lead at the half with the help of a 57.7% (15-26) shooting percentage.

However, a 15-4 run by the Braves over 4:22 in the second half cut the deficit from double-figures to just one point (48-47). Ben Jacobs was responsible for eight of the 15 points scored, including making both free throws with 11:11 left to get UNC Pembroke back to within one point.

Dennis Diaz gave Flagler some breathing room when he knocked a jumper to give the Saints a 56-49 lead. But the Braves came right back with the help of back-to-back baskets by Griffin Pittman, with 7:53 left, to get the score back to one, 56-55.

Later, Kessler Bell gave Flagler a 62-59 lead on a driving layup with 2:39 to go. Brandon Watts answered with a basket to get the Braves back to one point again. After a missed layup by the Saints, Quamain Rose sank a pull-up jumper from 10-feet out to give UNCP its first lead of the game, 63-62 with 53 seconds remaining.

With 25 seconds left, Keshaun Hamilton put the Saints back on top (64-63) as he put back Diaz' missed shot.

With six seconds left, Watts was fouled taking a three-point shot setting up an opportunity to win the game. He tied the score by sinking the first shot, but he missed the second. After a timeout, Watts made the third shot and Flagler could not get a shot off before the buzzer.

Watts and Jacobs each scored 15 points for the Braves. Rose added 12 more. Pittman tallied a game-high eight assists while tacking on seven points. Brandon Winford and Tyler Kordenbrock both grabbed seven rebounds.

The Braves shot 53.3% (16-30) in the second half. They forced 18 turnovers which led to 27 UNCP points. The Saints turned the ball over 10 times in the second half leading to 19 points.

Diaz led the Saints with a game-high 16 points while Bell added 14 points and rebounds. Lydell Manigo contributed 14 points and a career-high 10 rebounds. Hamilton grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds and tacked on eight points. Jerrell Oxendine chipped in with 10 points.

Flagler sets its sights on Armstrong State University, who it will play on Wednesday (Feb.4) at 7:30 p.m.