VALDOSTA, Ga. - Jeff Larkin's three-pointer with 1.7 seconds to go in the second overtime period proved to be the game-winner as Christian Brothers edged Valdosta State 77-74 in Gulf South Conference men's basketball action at The Complex Saturday evening.

Larkin's three-pointer was his third of the game and capped a torrid shooting performance over the last 30 minutes of play for the Bucs (7-4, 4-3). CBU made 19 of its 31 field goal attempts in the second half and two overtime periods after making just 10 of 30 attempts in the first 20 minutes of action.

The game was close for the first 10 minutes as the two teams traded the lead three times while neither team led by more than three points. Valdosta State (7-6, 2-5) eventually grabbed control as it used a 13-3 run to grab the largest advantage of the game at 27-15. Much of the Blazer damage during the run came around the rim as Colin Cook scored on a pair of lay-ups to open the run while James Spencer scored the final six points on baskets in the paint, the final of which gave VSU its 12-point advantage with 4:07 to play in the first half.

Christian Brothers responded with seven straight points and eventually pulled to within 31-28 at the half.

Trey Casey wrapped a pair of three-pointers around a Jeremiah Hill basket for VSU to open the second half as CBU pulled back into the lead as the first 16 minutes of the second half featured eight lead changes and nine ties. A Jeff Nibo dunk and subsequent free throw eventually put VSU back in front, but the Bucs battled back and forced overtime when Sall Sidy connected on a bucket with 18 seconds remaining.

CBU scored the first five points of the first overtime for its largest lead of the game, only to have the Blazers respond with seven straight points. Spencer started the VSU run with a three-point play before Nibo made a jumper and Spencer put Valdosta State in front with a basket. Casey responded with a jumper with 64 seconds to go in the first extra frame and neither team scored again to force the second overtime.

Points were at a premium in the second overtime as the extended minutes took their toll. VSU got a bucket from Spencer to open the final five minutes of play, but missed its next six attempts with its only other bucket coming from Cook with eight seconds to go that knotted the game at 74-74. Meanwhile, CBU, which had four players record at least 44 minutes in the contest, made just two of its six shots prior to Larkin's game winner.

Spencer recorded his frist career double-double as he finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds in 41 minutes of play. Nibo came off the bench and scored a career-best 22 points while playing 37 minutes as the pair were the only two to score in double figures.

VSU shot 42.9 percent from the floor in the game, but connected on only 17 of 43 field goal attempts in the final 30 minutes of play. 

Casey had 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead CBU while Sidy Sall finished with 21 points as well.

Valdosta State returns to action Monday, January 5 at 8:00 p.m. when it hosts Union in a GSC match-up at The Complex.