AUGUSTA, Ga. –
Jaizec Lottie scored 15 of his game high 23 points in the second half, but it wasn't enough as Flagler College lost to No. 11 (NABC Division II Top 25) University of North Carolina at Pembroke 74-70 in a NCAA Division II Southeast Regional quarterfinal Saturday night at Christenberry Fieldhouse.
Flagler's season ends with an impressive 23-8 record. UNC Pembroke (27-3) advances to the semifinals where it will meet the top-seed and host, No. 5 Augusta University, tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in the second semifinal.
The Saints held a 37-24 lead going into the half and out-rebounded the Braves 24-22. Flagler forced 13 turnovers which led to 13 points and the Saints also tallied 10 points in transition.
UNC Pembroke opened the second half on an 18-5 run to catch Flagler. Tyrell Kirk converted an old-fashioned three-point play to knot the game at 42 with 14:00 left.
The leads traded hands multiple times until Dean Berrien sank a trey with 7:32 left to give the Braves the lead for good, 54-53.
Derrick Ellis, Jr. hit a three-pointer to tie the score at 56, but Flagler couldn't gain the lead.
UNC Pembroke shot 50 percent in the second half, after struggling in the first 20 minutes with a 29.6 percentage. The Braves also sank seven 3-pointers in the second half after making just one in the first.
Jordan Ratliffe and Kirk each scored 22 points for the Braves. Berrien tacked on 11 points while Spencer Levi grabbed a game high 15 rebounds.
Jalen Barr recorded his team-leading sixth double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. He added three blocked shots to his line. Elllis, Jr. added 10 points.
Click here to view the post-game press conference.
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