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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Alabama | 9-4 | - | 19-7 |
| App State | 10-5 | - | 18-10 |
| Troy | 9-5 | 0.5 | 17-10 |
| Marshall | 8-5 | 1 | 16-10 |
| Texas State | 9-6 | 1 | 17-11 |
| Coastal Carolina | 8-6 | 1.5 | 16-11 |
| Arkansas State | 7-7 | 2.5 | 16-11 |
| Georgia Southern | 7-7 | 2.5 | 15-12 |
| Southern Miss | 7-8 | 3 | 14-14 |
| Louisiana | 6-7 | 3 | 9-17 |
| James Madison | 6-8 | 3.5 | 14-13 |
| Georgia State | 6-8 | 3.5 | 9-18 |
| Old Dominion | 5-9 | 4.5 | 9-18 |
| UL Monroe | 1-13 | 8.5 | 4-23 |
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