WINCHESTER, Va. – Visiting William Peace University claimed the 2015 BB&T Classic championship with a 75-70 win over host Shenandoah University Sunday afternoon.
In a game that featured 16 lead changes and 11 ties, the Pacers (4-2) closed out the contest with a 9-4 run over the Hornets (3-3) to claim the title.
Junior Malcolm Clark, who was one of two SU players named to the All-Tournament team, knotted the contest for the 11th and final time on a layup with 3:35 remaining.
The two teams then traded missed 3-pointers before tournament MVP Chris Thomas hit a layup with 2:27 left to give WPU the lead for good.
Thomas' layup ignited a 7-0 run for the victors over the next 79 seconds; Shenandoah was unable to get closer than five points the rest of the way.
Junior Aaron Patterson, who joined Clark on the All-Tournament team, closed out the game's scoring with a 3-pointer five seconds before the final buzzer.
Each team had 26 field goals on the day with William Peace knocking down 13 3-pointers in 36 attempts (36 percent) and outrebounding the Hornets 43-38.
SU outscored the Pacers 34-24 in the paint and scored 17 of the game's 24 points that came off of turnovers.
Patterson led the hosts with 20 points with Clark adding 17 and EJ Baltimore 14.
William Peace had five players in double figures with Thomas scoring 12 and fellow All-Tournament honoree Ryan Emfinger scoring 12.
Shenandoah is back in action on Wednesday in its ODAC opener versus Randolph. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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