JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — In a game that mirrored the seesaw nature of both teams’ seasons, Justin Wright scored 28 points and converted eight critical free throws in overtime to lift UNC Asheville to an 85-82 victory over Longwood in a Big South Conference men’s basketball tournament quarterfinal on Friday night at the ETSU Athletic Center.

The contest, a rubber match after the teams split their regular-season meetings, required an extra five minutes to decide after Longwood’s Jacoi Hutchinson sank a pull-up jumper with 1:01 remaining in regulation to knot the score at 73-73. Neither team could find the net again in the final minute, sending the game to overtime tied.

From there, Wright, a 6-foot-2 guard from Greenville, North Carolina, took command. He scored 12 of UNC Asheville’s 12 overtime points, all from the free throw line, showcasing a clutch performance that elevated his team. Wright, who played 44 minutes, went a perfect 8-for-8 from the stripe in the extra period, part of a larger 12-for-14 night at the line. His final two free throws with 7 seconds left in overtime pushed the Bulldogs’ lead to three points, and Longwood’s last-gasp three-point attempt by Jaylen Benard missed as time expired.

The game was a battle of attrition and resilience. UNC Asheville built a 40-36 halftime lead behind the interior presence of Toyaz Solomon, who finished with 24 points, and the scoring of Kameron Taylor, who added 26. The Bulldogs stretched their lead to as many as nine points in the second half, but Longwood, as they have all season, refused to fade.

The Lancers chipped away, fueled by Hutchinson’s 19 points and 17 points from Emanuel Richards. A key sequence came late in regulation when Longwood’s defense forced a shot clock violation, setting the stage for Hutchinson’s game-tying basket. The Lancers had a chance to win in regulation but turned the ball over on a shot clock violation with 18 seconds left, and UNC Asheville’s Toyaz Solomon missed a driving layup at the buzzer.

Overtime became a parade to the free throw line for Wright. Longwood briefly held a 75-74 lead after an Alphonzo Billups free throw, but Wright answered with two of his own. After a Solomon block led to a transition opportunity, Wright was fouled and hit two more. Longwood stayed within one possession, but every time they scored, Wright drew a foul and calmly sank his attempts. His two free throws with 30 seconds left gave UNC Asheville an 83-79 cushion, and after a Longwood three-pointer cut it to one, he iced the game with his final pair.

The loss ends Longwood’s season with a 16-16 record. The Lancers were led by Hutchinson, Richards, and Elijah Tucker, who contributed 11 points. UNC Asheville, now 15-16, advances to the conference semifinals. The Bulldogs’ victory was powered by their trio of Wright, Solomon, and Taylor, who combined for 78 of the team’s 85 points.

The game was a fittingly tense conclusion to the season series, with both teams fighting to extend their years. In the end, Justin Wright’s composure under pressure from the foul line made the decisive difference, sending UNC Asheville forward and closing the book on Longwood’s campaign.