INSTITUTE, W.Va. — Miguel Martinez drained a 27-foot three-pointer as time expired to give West Virginia State a 112-111 triple-overtime victory over Concord on Wednesday night at the Walker Convocation Center. The win extends WVSU's streak to five straight as they prepare to face the University of Charleston on Saturday.
WVSU was led by Kenyon Giles who scored 29 points, all in the second half, and was 16-of-20 from the free throw line five rebounds and a steal. Miguel Martinez added 19 points, knocking down three three-pointers, including the game-winner. Jae Slack contributed 19 points and seven rebounds. The Yellow Jackets converted 19 Concord turnovers into 21 points and capitalized on second-chance opportunities with 26 points, despite being outrebounded on the offensive glass 24-16. Concord was paced by Corey Boston's 35 points. Both teams shot 40.9% from the field, but WVSU converted 32-of-48 foul shots, 15-of-20 in the extra periods, to Concord's 29-of-39. State's 48 free throws attempted ties a 21-year-old school record.
WVSU led 38-37 after a tightly contested first half. The teams traded early baskets before WVSU used an 8-0 run to take its largest lead at 14:38. Concord answered with a run of its own, briefly taking a four-point lead at 3:42. The Yellow Jackets capitalized on second-chance opportunities to reclaim the lead before halftime.
The second half saw more back-and-forth action, with WVSU building a nine-point lead at 14:40 before Concord responded with a seven-point run at 12:17. The lead changed hands seven times in the final 10 minutes. WVSU led 79-77 in the closing moments, but Concord converted a layup to force overtime at 79-79.
Neither team could gain separation in the first extra period, with WVSU forcing a second overtime after a fast-break layup tied the game at 91-91. In the second overtime, Concord took a three-point lead at 2:34 before WVSU answered again, sending the game to a third extra frame tied at 99.
With 5.9 seconds left in the third overtime, Concord led 110-109 when Corey Boston made one of two free throws. Jae Slack secured the rebound, pushed the ball up the court, and found Martinez, who launched a 27-footer with 1.3 seconds left. The shot dropped through as time expired, sealing the win for WVSU. Martinez finished with three three-pointers in the game.
WVSU's 33 points in overtime set a new Mountain East Conference mark for most points scored in overtime. The previous record was set on Jan. 3, 2015 by Shepherd University against Notre Dame College where they scored 30 points in a double overtime game.
The Yellow Jackets will look to continue their winning streak on Saturday when they travel to the University of Charleston for a 4:00 p.m. matchup.
