LEESBURG, Fl. – New South Athletic Conference newcomer URBE University has gotten off to a fast start, getting two wins in its first two conference games to stand alone in the standings just a week into the season.

The URBE Tigers and Beacon College Blazers opened the season in unforgettable fashion at the NSAC Tip-Off Classic last Friday night, battling through a marathon 114–109 four-overtime showdown. Beacon displayed relentless determination, answering every URBE surge with clutch baskets down the stretch. Tre’von Redd led the charge early, tallying 28 points and hitting the game-tying shot at the end of regulation to send the contest into overtime.

In the first extra period, Javeon Wells-Reddick came up big, sinking a late bucket to tie the game once more and keep the Blazers’ hopes alive. As the battle wore on, Noah Wilhelm added to the drama with a fadeaway buzzer-beater at the end of the third overtime, forcing a fourth and final frame. Wilhelm finished with a strong 20-point performance, earning roars from the home crowd with his clutch shot-making.

But it was Tiger freshman Luis Carias who proved to be the workhorse of the night, slicing his way to 46 points to lead all scorers and his team to its first varsity victory in school history. Ernesto Hichez led all Beacon scorers with a stellar 32 points.

Then on Tuesday, Carias again led the URBE charge, scoring 21 points in a 65-48 road win over Southeast Christian.

Both teams were slow out of the gate, but the Tigers began to gain traction approaching the midpoint of the first half, jumping out to a 21-2 lead with just over eight minutes to play before halftime. It was then that the Eagles began to execute, reeling off 13 unanswered points to cut the lead to six, 21-15, with 3:58 remaining. URBE headed into intermission with a 31-21 lead.

But the second half resumed the Tigers’ torrid pace as they extended their lead to as many as 22, 47-25, with 12:53 to play. Once again, Southeast chipped away, trimming the deficit to nine with 3:12 to go, but could get no closer.

With the win, URBE improves to 2-0 and first place in conference play while SECC falls to 1-1 and 0-1 in conference play.

Thanks to Beacon College Athletics for their help with this story.