SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In a game that featured 17 ties and 22 lead changes, the Wofford men's basketball team powered past Samford on Thursday evening, winning a quadruple overtime classic for the ages 131-127. With the win, the Terriers improve to 13-13 overall and 8-5 in Southern Conference action, while Samford falls to 15-10 on the season and 6-6 in conference play. Wofford has won four consecutive games, the last three of which have all been by four points or less.
 
"That one had a lot of twists and turns," said head coach Mike Young. "It was a strange game, but very hard fought and very well-played game by both teams. Both teams fought and deserved to win. I admire Coach Padgett's team. That was a fun college basketball game."
 
Wofford's 131 points are the second most in Wofford history, behind a 135 point performance against Warren Wilson in the 1983-84 season. Samford's 127 points are the most by a Wofford opponent and the 258 combined points is also a Wofford best. Tonight's quadruple overtime game ties for the longest game in Wofford history (89-96 loss at home to Erskine on Feb. 5, 1976) but is Wofford's first win in quadruple overtime.
 
Tonight's game was Wofford's third overtime game of the season, all three of which have been in conference games and two of which have been against Samford. The Terriers are now 1-2 in overtime matchups on the season.  
 
Five Terriers, Wofford's starters, scored in double figures and accounted for all but 14 of Wofford's points. Wofford's starters accounted for 259 minutes of the 300 minutes played.
 
Fletcher Magee led the way with 36 points, a career high. Twenty six of his points came in the overtime periods. He was a perfect 13-13 from the free throw line.
 
Eric Garcia followed with 31 points, tying a career high. The senior point guard dished out 10 assists with zero turnovers in 58 minutes of play and finished with his fourth double-double of the season.
 
"He's the best," Young said. "He's the ultimate warrior, a true tough guy and the consummate Wofford player."
 
Ryan Sawvell was the second Terrier with a double-double, scoring 16 points and pulling down a career high 16 rebounds. He also tied his career high with seven assists in 58 minutes.
 
Cameron Jackson finished with 21 points and eight blocks.  Nathan Hoover had 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
 
Samford dominated most of the first half and led 39-33 at the half. Wofford outscored Samford 45-36 in the second half and regulation ended with the teams tied at 78.
 
Magee, who didn't make a three in the first half and didn't attempt a three in the second half, led off the first overtime period with a three pointer and really began to heat up. After a layup by Samford's Wyatt Walker, Magee hit another three. With Wofford up four, the teams traded baskets. Samford led 91-90 with 40 seconds to go and Jackson made one of two free throws to tie the game and force a second overtime period.
 
In the second overtime, Samford jumped out to a quick six point lead and Wofford called a timeout to stop the bleeding. With 14 seconds left to go in the game and Wofford trailing 102-97, Magee hit a three pointer to cut the lead to two points. Magee then stole the inbounds pass, laid it up and got fouled. Magee sunk his free throw and within two seconds of game time, gave Wofford a one point lead. With three seconds to go and Wofford holding on to a one point lead, Sawvell fouled Samford's Terry Brutus. Brutus sunk both to give Samford a one point lead. Christen Cunningham fouled Garcia on the inbounds and Garcia made 1-2 at the line to extend the game.
 
"I knew we were in desperation mode down five, so I knew when I got a good look at a three I was going to shoot it and hopefully it would go in," Magee said. "He (Jackson) threw the ball right to me, I pumped faked and made it. My emotions were going everywhere. I remembered how we went to overtime with them earlier this season and though I played a good game, I kind of disappeared in overtime so I wanted to make sure I came out aggressive and had confidence in my shot. "
 
The teams entered triple overtime tied at 104. With 1:36 on the clock, Garcia nailed a three to put Wofford up four, 114-110. Samford responded with a jump shot from Demetrius Denzel-Dyson to cut the lead to two and Cunningham again fouled Garcia with 25 seconds remaining. Garcia made both to give Wofford a four point lead. Denzel-Dyson responded with a three pointer on the other end to cut the lead to one with 20 seconds left in the period. Magee was fouled and sank two free throws to push the lead back to three, before Denzel-Dyson nailed a three pointer with four seconds to go to even the score at 118 and force a fourth overtime.
 
Garcia opened the overtime with a layup to give Wofford an advantage. Samford responded with five quick points to take a three point lead. Garcia drilled a three pointer to tie it at 123 with 3:19 to go. Each team attempted and sank two free throws over the next two minutes. Denzel-Dyson gave Samford its final lead at 127-125 with 34 seconds to go. Garcia once again drained a three to give Wofford a 128-128 lead with 16 seconds to go and the Terriers would make three of four foul shots down the stretch to hold on for the victory.
 
Denzel-Dyson led the Bulldogs with 31 points. Wyatt Walker added 22 points. Cunningham finished with 21 points and 12 assists.
 
Wofford shot 44.6% for the game and the Bulldogs shot 52.4%. Wofford outrebounded Samford 51-45 and had 12 turnovers to Samford's 15.
 
Wofford hosts Chattanooga on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. in the final of three consecutive home games. The Terriers play three of the final four conference games on the road, starting next Wednesday, Feb. 15 at UNCG. Wofford's final home game and the final game in the Benjamin Johnson Arena will be Feb. 18 when the Terriers host Western Carolina on senior day.