PULASKI, Tenn. – Jordan Olison scored his 21st and 22nd points Monday night when he swished home two free throws with 3.1 seconds left to lift Martin Methodist to a 78-76 victory versus Cumberland (Tenn.).
After falling behind by five points late, the RedHawks (3-3) rallied with timely scoring and defensive stops to tie the contest at 76-76 with just over 20 seconds left to play.
The RedHawks cleared it out for Olison, who made his move down the left side of the lane and drew contact with 3.1 seconds to play.
The senior stepped to the line and swished home the first of two free throws before he calmly added the second to put the RedHawks ahead by two.
Cumberland had one final desperation heave at the buzzer, but it fell short and the RedHawks improved to 2-0 in home games this season.
Ahead 36-32 at the break, Olison notched 13 of his team-best 22 in the second half. Senior forward Dwayne Ward stuffed the stat sheet with an 18-point, 13-rebound effort. Senior guard Rayford Albright added 11 of his 15 points in the second half, as the RedHawks finished the night with three players in double-figures.
And after the RedHawks converted just 16-of-35 free throws in their home opener on Oct. 30, the squad posted an impressive 18-of-21 shooting night in Monday's win. Cumberland, meanwhile, finished the night 8-of-17 at the free throw line.
Junior guard Jason Williams caught fire and finished with 30 points on 12-of-22 shooting to lead the Phoenix (6-2).
The win lifted the RedHawks to 13-11 versus the Phoenix dating back to Jan. 2006 and snapped a four-game losing streak in the series.
The RedHawks return to action this Thursday, Nov. 29, when they travel to University of Mobile (Ala.) for their SSAC conference opener.
Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. at nearby Spring Hill College also located in Mobile, Alabama.