Box Score For 33 minutes Saturday, Saint Augustine's held Mount Olive preseason All-Americans Craig Hayes and Derek Staton in check. The duo came alive, however, combining for 10 points in a 14-4 run to end the game, lifting the Trojans to a 62-53 come-from-behind win in day two of the Barton College 45-Second Classic in Wilson, N.C.
The Falcons (3-3) shot 56 percent from the field and held Hayes and Staton to a combined five points in building a 36-26 halftime lead.
The Trojans (6-1) chipped away at the deficit then made their move midway through the second half. Ewon Wright entered the game with just over 11 minutes left and immediately hit a short jumper and a three-pointer to give Mount Olive its first lead of the game, 41-40.
The Falcons regained the lead, 49-48, on a jumper in the lane from Jeremy Banks. Two Staton free throws put the Trojans back in front and started a 10-0 run that decided the game. Staton and Hayes scored all 10 points. Hayes, who missed Friday night's tournament opener with an injury, showed no signs of wear in tipping in a pair of missed three-pointers during the stretch.
Two free throws from David Brown ended the run and trimmed Mount Olive's lead to 58-51 with 2:04 left, but two free throws from Jordan McCain and a high-flying dunk from Kendall Hargrove off a Staton assist ended all doubt.
The Trojan defense held the Falcons to just 17 points after intermission. The Falcons were just 5-20 from the field, missing all eight attempts from three-point range.
Hayes finished with 12 points and seven rebounds to lead the Trojans, while Staton added 11. Hargrove led all players with six assists.
Banks led the all scorers with 17 for the Falcons. Brown added 10.
The Trojans have a nine-day break before returning to action December 12 against UNC Pembroke. Game-time at Kornegay Arena is 7 p.m.