Hibbitt scores OT basket with two seconds remaining to lift ‘Cats to a 97-96 win over GSC

Sports Release
January 16, 2022

BUCKHANNON, W.Va.– Jayden Hibbitt’s driving layup with the clock winding down pushed the West Virginia Wesleyan (2-14, 1-9) Bobcats past the Glenville State (6-7, 3-6) Pioneers 97-96 inside the Rockefeller Center on Saturday (Jan. 15).

Leaders for WVWC
Hibbitt had a game-high 26 points for the ‘Cats, playing all 45 minutes of the contest. Braeden McGrew claimed his first double-double of the season, dishing out 11 assists to go with 18 points. Anthony Craven Jr., Tommie Pope, and Tyler Slone all eclipsed double-digit points.

Leaders for Glenville State
John Williams led the Pioneers in scoring 24 points on nine made field goals. Williams hauled in 13 rebounds to claim a double-double. Adrian Scarborough had a game-high 15 rebounds to go with 20 points and a double-double of his own.

Inside the First Half
WVWC opened the game on a 7-0 scoring run, with Hibbitt scoring five of the first seven points. The ‘Cats had their biggest lead of the half with 14:53 remaining after Pope picked the pocket of Luke Lerose and dished it off to McGrew to put Wesleyan up 17-9.

The Pioneers went on a 7-2 run over the next minute and a half. McGrew ended the GSC run by hitting his first triple of the evening. The first half saw the lead equalize eight times. The visiting team took a 50-47 lead into the locker room.

Inside the Second Half
WVWC opened up the half with back-to-back baskets in the first 45 seconds to take a one-point lead. Glenville State had a six-point lead three separate times in the half. However, the ‘Cats used timely defense and clutch shooting to retake the lead with 8:05 left. After the Bobcats’ defense forced a Pioneer turnover, McGrew drilled a straight-on three to put WVWC on top by one. Wesleyan held the lead for the next 7:23 before Williams hit a deep triple to send the game to overtime.

Inside Overtime
Craven Jr. and Hibbitt opened up the overtime period with consecutive jump shots to build a Bobcat four-point lead. GSC would go on a 9-2 run to take a 96-93 lead with 1:51 remaining. WVWC would score the game’s final four points, concluding with Hibbitt’s game-winning layup with 2.1 seconds remaining.

Up Next
The ‘Cats head to Maryland to take on Frostburg State on Wednesday (Jan. 19) at 7:30 p.m.