Rocky Mount, N.C. - In a USA South men's basketball thriller, North Carolina Wesleyan overcame a 16-point deficit with just under six minutes remaining to earn an eventual 112-109 double overtime victory over the 13th-ranked Captains of Christopher Newport on Wednesday night in Everett Gym.

The game saw several Bishops players step up in key situations, including senior Julian Martin who knocked down a three-pointer at the end of regulation to force the first OT. No player, however, could match NCWC senior Brandon Givens, who was nearly unstoppable down the stretch and finished with a program-record 50 points, which eclipsed his own record of 43 set earlier in the season.

The Captains had led 40-34 at the half after back-to-back treys from Connor Laframboise in the final 39 seconds erased a 34-34 tie. CNU extended its lead to double figures early in the second half, going up 51-41 less than five minutes into the period.

Newport eventually took its biggest lead, 80-64, with 5:53 remaining. It was then that the Bishops mounted a furious rally behind the play of Givens and junior Josh Morrison, who also stepped up with a pair of key shots during the 27-11 run. 

Trailing 91-88 with seven ticks on the clock, Wesleyan was forced to foul. CNU proceeded to miss a pair of game-clinching free throws, setting the stage for Martin's off-balance three-pointer from the left corner as time expired.

NCWC then jumped out to a 96-91 advantage in the first overtime after senior Cornelius Snow netted the first five points of the period.  The Captains battled back for a shot at the win, but Tra Benefield's jumper was long, leaving the score 100-100 and forcing a second OT.

Morrison opened the final OT with his third trey of the night to give Wesleyan an early advantage, and while the Captains did not go down without a fight, a lay-up by freshman Devontae Williams with seven seconds left sealed the three-point victory.

Givens' 50 points came on 17-of-26 shooting, including 5-of-9 from behind the arc and 11-of-15 at the charity stripe. He completed the double-double with 11 rebounds, while Morrison also finished with a double-double of 24 points and 11 boards of this own. Snow chipped in 16 and Martin 11 to round out Wesleyan players in double-figures, and Williams pulled down a career-high 13 rebounds.

Nic Biberaj paced a trio of Captains in double figures with 26 points. CNU had entered the contest ranked second in the nation in field goal percentage defense, but Wesleyan shot a blistering 63.6 percent from the floor in the second half and 75 percent in the overtime periods.

The win snaps a five-game skid for the Bishops, while ending an 18-game USA South winning streak by the Captains. Now 8-5 overall and 1-3 in USA South play, Wesleyan will host LaGrange College at 4:00pm Sunday in Everett Gymnasium, where the Bishops boast a perfect 7-0 record this season.