William Carey Crusaders @ Southern Miss Golden Eagles
NAIA-member William Carey edges Southern Miss 78-72
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Ryan McRaney scored 12 points to lead five Crusaders in double figures and William Carey beat city rival Southern Miss 78-72 on Sunday.
It was just the second win in 12 meetings for the NAIA Crusaders in a series that began in 2003. Their previous victory came in 2015 and they lost two other matchups since. Their coach, Steve Knight, is a 2002 Southern Miss Hall of Fame inductee as a baseball player and in his 37th year leading the William Carey basketball program.
Trailing 67-62 with 6 1/2 minutes remaining, the Crusaders got 3-pointers from four different players while the Golden Eagles went 1 for 13 to end the game.
Leito Holloway, Brandon Cranford, Javontae McDavid and Branden Sheppard all had 11 points each for the Crusaders, who made 13 of 28 3-pointers for 46 percent, including eight in the second half when they overcame a three-point halftime deficit.
Tyree Griffin scored 16 points, Cortez Edwards 12 and Leo Harper-Baker grabbed 12 rebounds to go with nine points for Southern Miss (4-2), playing its first home game after a four-game road trip.
Game Information
Hattiesburg, MS
Referee:Raymie Styons
Referee:Trey Styons
Referee:Mick Fieldbinder
2025-26 Standings
| Sun Belt ConferenceSun Belt Conference | CONF | GB | OVR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Troy | 5-1 | - | 12-6 |
| Arkansas State | 4-1 | 0.5 | 12-5 |
| Georgia Southern | 4-1 | 0.5 | 12-6 |
| Southern Miss | 5-2 | 0.5 | 11-8 |
| South Alabama | 3-2 | 1.5 | 12-5 |
| Marshall | 3-3 | 2 | 11-7 |
| App State | 3-3 | 2 | 10-8 |
| Georgia State | 3-3 | 2 | 6-12 |
| Coastal Carolina | 3-4 | 2.5 | 10-9 |
| Texas State | 3-4 | 2.5 | 10-9 |
| James Madison | 2-3 | 2.5 | 9-8 |
| Old Dominion | 2-4 | 3 | 5-13 |
| Louisiana | 2-5 | 3.5 | 4-15 |
| UL Monroe | 0-6 | 5 | 3-15 |
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