ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Mid-Atlantic Christian senior Talik Totten decided to give his team a gift on his birthday. The guard from Ahoskie, NC drained a three with 4.2 seconds remaining to lift MACU to a 70-68 win over visiting Virginia Peninsula in the Mustang’s NSAC opener.

The victory, and how they obtained it, was a test for head coach Charles Sims’ team.

“I saw something new emerge from the team tonight that I knew we have had all the time and that was true grit and just the determination to get it done,” said Sims. “This was yet another game that pushed us to another level.”

That level is now a statistical tie with Apprentice atop the NSAC standings. The Herd improved to 6-6 overall with the win. VPCC dropped to 7-4 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

Each team fought hard with nine lead changes and eight ties. Neither team led by more than 8 points.

MACU’s Noah Richardson-Keys led all scorers with 22 points and grabbed 9 rebounds. Totten added 16 points, including the game winner.

“For him to hit that shot at a pivotal moment that secured the lead was awesome,” beamed Sims after the game.

The Gators’ Javion Majette led VPCC with 17 points while Keshaun Johnson marked a double-double, 14 points along with 10 boards.