Mount Olive survived three missed shots in the final five seconds, the last a 70-foot heave at the buzzer that bounced off the rim, to post a 69-68 non-conference men's basketball win over UNC Pembroke Monday night at Kornegay Arena.

Derek Staton, who finished with 14 points and eight assists made two technical free throws with 2:21 remaining to give the Trojans a 69-66 lead. Mount Olive (7-1) did not score again. After closing within a point, the Braves' George Blakeney forced a jump ball with 33 seconds remaining.

UNC Pembroke (6-4) got a three-point attempt from K. J. Cooper and a follow attempt by Blakeney, but neither found the bottom of the net. Mount Olive's Kendall Hargrove came away with the rebound and was fouled with 1.9 left. Hargrove missed the free throw attempt and Blakeney grabbed the rebound and sent a desperation shot from just inside his own free throw lane.

Craig Hayes, who finished with a game-high 24 points, scored on an inbounds pass from Dory Hines with 4:30 left to give the Trojans the lead for good, 61-59. Hines finished with nine assists and seven rebounds. The Trojans had 23 assists on 27 made baskets.

The Braves refused to go away after falling behind. UNC Pembroke never trailed by more than three points down the stretch.

Mount Olive threatened to blow the game open early. A pair of Mahamed Ibrahim three-pointers capped off a 10-0 Trojan run in the first five minutes that put Mount Olive ahead 12-2. The Trojans twice led by as many as 13 before the Braves fought their way back.

Hayes' layup with 5:51 left in the half gave his team a 31-18 advantage. UNC Pembroke responded with a 14-5 run to end the half.

The Trojans surrendered the lead for the first time when K. J. Cooper converted a three-point play with 15:25 left. The Braves extended the lead to 54-45 on a put-back by Ben Jacobs with 10:14 remaining.

Mount Olive quickly got back in the contest with an 14-5 run of its own. Hayes hit a pair of three-pointers during the run, while Staton and Ibrahim hit one apiece.

By the end of the contest, the Trojans outscored UNC Pembroke, 27-0 from behind the arc. Jordan McCain came off the Mount Olive bench to hit a pair of three-pointers and tally eight points.

The Braves were led by Shahmel Brackett with 14 points and seven assists. Cooper and Marcus Heath had 11 points apiece, and Blakeney had 10.

The Trojans return to action Saturday when Mount Olive travels to Wingate, N.C. to meet Wingate University. Tip-off is at 7 p.m.