CLINTON, S.C. - Austin Kenon scored eight straight points as part of a crucial 11-3 game-ending run, propelling the VMI Keydets past the Presbyterian College Blue Hose in Big South basketball action Thursday night in Clinton, S.C.

Kenon's baseline 3-pointer with 52.2 seconds left broke a 74-74 tie and gave VMI the lead for good in a see-saw second half that produced nine ties and 10 lead changes. The Keydets hit three of four free throws in the last 28.9 seconds to help post their first win at Presbyterian College in three tries and extend a Big South Conference win streak to four.

VMI moved to 16-12 overall - a mark that guarantees a winning season under head coach Duggar Baucom for the second time over the last three years. The Keydets also raised their Big South mark to 9-8, the first time VMI has been over the .500 mark in conference play this season.

Presbyterian fell to 12-18 overall and 6-11 in Big South games.

VMI placed five in double figures scoring with no player topping the 13-point mark. Kenon and sophomore forward Nick Gore shared scoring honors with 13, followed by junior forward Michael Sparks with 12 points including 10 in the first half. Junior forward Ron Burks and freshman center D.J. Covington each added 10 points.

Senior forward Walt Allen led Presbyterian with 19 points and 15 rebounds while sophomore guard Khalid Mutakabbir added 14 points. Redshirt junior guard Pierre Miller contributed 13 points for the hosts and redshirt junior guard Josh Johnson scored 10 points.

VMI overcame a 34-14 disadvantage in points in the paint by forcing 20 Blue Hose turnovers which were converted into a 29-11 edge in points off turnovers. VMI's bench scoring also outscored the Blue Hose reserves by a 33-13 count.

Kenon drained a 3-pointer at the 1:50 mark of regulation to put VMI up 72-71 only to see the lead evaporate when Mutakabbir drained a three-ball from the right baseline seconds later. Kenon was fouled by Miller at the 1:13 mark and promptly converted both free throw attempts to tie the game at 74-74. Presbyterian College called timeout and elected to throw a "home run" ball over the VMI backcourt pressure but Kenon jostled with Mutakabbir for the long pass downcourt and the Blue Hose guard couldn't control the ball that eventually deflected out-of-bounds on the baseline, giving VMI possession and setting the stage for Kenon's go-ahead trey.

Presbyterian College missed 3-point tries on its last three trips down the floor which were all rebounded by VMI. The Keydets were sent to the line at the :30 mark and Burks knocked in one of two tosses, and Sparks closed out the scoring with two charity throws with :21 left to help seal the win.

VMI led throughout most of the first half but an array of long scoring runs by both squads late in the half foreshadowed the tight finish. The Keydets were able to keep pace and eventually hold off the Blue Hose in part by hitting 17-of-19 from the free throw line for the game including seven of eight under the three minute mark of regulation. VMI also canned 13 three-point shots for the evening.

The Keydets kept alive their hopes for hosting a first round home game in the upcoming Big South Tournament next week, but need a win at Winthrop in Rock Hill, South Carolina Saturday night and a Coastal Carolina win at Charleston Southern Saturday to have a chance. The VMI-Winthrop game will tip-off at 7 p.m. Saturday night at Winthrop Coliseum and the game will be televised by MASN. 

HEAD COACH DUGGAR BAUCOM - "The guys persevered and made free throws. This is a tough place to play and I knew Coach Nibert would have his guys ready. I thought they controlled most of the second half and we just made a few plays down the stretch. Very proud of the team. It became the Austin Kenon show the last two minutes, but credit the other guys - Michael Sparks was unbelievable and we played with D.J. Covington in foul trouble, but Rodney Glasgow was solid and Keith Gabriel and Nick Gore gave us some great minutes off the bench. "

"It really helps when you make your free throws because you can do other stuff defensively. We did a good job of guarding without fouling at the end and came up with some huge rebounds. We didn't click on all cylinders by any means, but we got it done when it mattered."