PETERSBURG, VA --The Shaw men's basketball team fell to the UNC Pembroke Braves 62-60 at Multipurpose Center Saturday on Cortez Marion-Holmes' buzzer-beating shot with only three seconds left in the game.

The Bears (2-5) had two players score in double figures, led by DJ Thomas, who had 17 points, six rebounds and three steals. Caleb Simmons added 11 points and six rebounds and Amir Waddell added nine points and eight rebounds.

Shaw pulled down 33 rebounds in Saturday's game compared to UNCP's 32, led by Waddell's eight boards.

The Bears did a great job disrupting Braves shots in the contest, coming away with five blocks. Gabriel Joseph-Bryan led the way individually for the Bears with two rejections.

How It Happened

After falling behind 19-17, Shaw went on a 10-0 run with 12:43 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Thomas, to take a 27-19 lead. The Bears then added one point to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 36-27 advantage. Shaw relied on its three-point shooting in the period, knocking down five shots to account for 15 of its 36 points.

The Braves proceeded to take a 46-43 lead before Shaw went on a 5-0 run to seize a 48-46 lead with 7:22 to go in the contest. UNCP reasserted control, outscoring the Bears 16-12 the rest of the way to hand Shaw the 62-60 loss. Shaw got a boost from its bench in the period, as non-starters accounted for 11 of its 24 total points.

Post Game Quotes
"When we eventually get it together, we will be a force to be reckoned with in January and February. We are close. It is a process to building a program." - Coach Collins

Game Notes

» Shaw lost despite a 33-32 rebounding advantage.
» The Shaw defense forced 18 turnovers.
» The Bears were active in affecting shots on the defensive end, tallying five blocks as a team.

Up Next
The Bears will stay in Petersburg for game two of the VSU Thanksgiving Classic as Shaw will battle Carolina University. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 PM