HARRISONBURG, Va. -- The Ferrum College men's basketball team picked up its first win of the year, a 73-70 win over Bridgewater College this afternoon at the EMU Tip-Off Classic. Jamal Pullen was named to the All-Classic Team after posting 19 points, six rebounds and a pair of blocked shots to lead the Panthers.

Coach Bill Tharp's team jumped out to a 5-0 lead to open the game, but the Eagles went on a 21-7 run to take a 21-12 lead midway through the first half. The Panthers chipped away at the lead and got as close as three points at 29-26 when Marvin Wilson hit a jumper, was fouled and converted the three-point play by draining a free throw at 5:27. Bridgewater went on an 11-8 run to close out the half and took a 41-34 lead into the break.

Bridgewater maintained a comfortable lead eight minutes into the second half, leading 50-42, but Ferrum went on a 15-9 run to trim the lead to 59-57, capped by Jamal Pullen's three-pointer with 8:31 showing on the clock. A few minutes later, Pullen drained a pair of free throws and the two teams were deadlocked at 61-61 with 6:44 left to play. Two defensive stops and two Pullen layups gave Ferrum a 65-61 lead with just under six minutes left.

Bridgewater (0-2) would take one final lead, 68-66, on Logan Seacrist's layup with 47 seconds left to play, but Alex Ayer hit a three-pointer with 28 seconds left in regulation to put Ferrum out in front 71-70. Bridgewater turned the ball over with eight seconds left and after Ferrum called a timeout, Rashawn Speas converted a layup with five seconds left for the final score. Marcus Curry's three-point attempt at the buzzer waa no good and the Panthers picked up their first win.

Wilson finished with 14 points for Ferrum (1-1), while Ayer and Speas had nine points each. Bridgewater's Ed Reddick and Aaron Adams had 18 points and 16 points, respectively. Pullen was joined on the All-Classic Team by Reddick, St. Mary's College's Troy Spurrier and Tanner Brooks, and Eastern Mennonite's David Falk and MVP Ryan Yates. Ferrum returns to action Wednesday, Nov. 19, with its home-opener against Washington and Lee University. The non-conference game gets underway at 7:00 p.m. at Swartz Gym.