Holliday, Winston Finish the Job in No. 25 Indians' Win Over Holmes

FULTON, Miss. - ICC had to win it late Thursday night, and Tim Holliday and Damarion Winston made sure it happened.

In a tight back-and-forth game that was tied 69-69 with 1:25 left, Holliday drilled the go-ahead three and Winston sealed it at the line as the No. 25 Indians held off Holmes 76-72 on Sophomore Night. 

ICC led 36-35 at halftime and won the second half 40-37, but there was never much room to breathe. Holmes stayed within striking distance all night and had chances in the final minute before the Indians closed it out.

The biggest shot came with 1:11 left.

With the score tied at 69, Holliday buried a three to put the Indians in front 72-69. Holmes missed a layup on the next trip, then got one free throw to fall with 51.9 seconds left to trim the lead.

Winston then stepped to the line in a pressure moment after being fouled with 24.4 seconds remaining. He made both free throws to push the lead to 74-70.

Holmes turned it over with 21.2 left, but the Bulldogs kept fighting. They came up with a steal, missed a three and scored on a putback with 3.1 seconds left to make it 74-72.

After another foul with 2.1 seconds remaining, Winston calmly hit two more free throws to finish the game.

Winston led ICC with 17 points and stuffed the stat sheet with nine assists, five rebounds, two blocks and three steals. He also went 4-for-4 at the line in the closing seconds.

Jaden Harper and Jason Johnson added 10 points each. Johnson also blocked two shots. DJ Davis scored nine points, and Holliday gave ICC a major lift off the bench with nine points and nine rebounds, including the go-ahead three.