BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Rodrick Caldwell scored 20 points and hit a 3-pointer to start a late rally and lead Bowling Green to a 78-72 win over host Campbell Saturday in the Creek Classic at Gore Arena.
 
After the Camels grabbed their first lead of the second half (60-59) with 6:16 to play, Caldwell's deep three from the top of the key started a decisive 11-3 stretch and sent the Falcons (5-1) to their fourth-straight victory.
 
Playing without the Big South Conference's leading scorer, Chris Clemons (24.8), who left Friday's game with cramps late in regulation, the Camels clawed back from a 14-point halftime deficit to take the lead, but could complete the comeback.
 
Campbell (2-4) opened the second period on a 13-2 run to get back within three, and later rode a 10-2 burst to grab the lead (60-59) on Shane Whitfield's spinning layup with 6:16 to play.
 
However, the Falcons made their next five shots – including consecutive treys by Caldwell, Frye and Justin Turner – and went in front 72-65 on Frye's drive to the bucket with 2:06 remaining.  Bowling Green sealed the win by making 6-of-6 from the line over the final 35.6 seconds.
 
Wiggins and Frye added 14 points each and Nelly Cummings 10 for the Falcons, who shot just 39 percent from the field in the second half, but finished with a 41-26 edge on the glass.
 
Shane Whitfield led all scorers with a season-high 28 on 9-of-15 shooting from the field, 10-of-11 from the line. Marcus Burk added 18 points and Cory Gensler 10 for the Camels, who finished the day 25-of-55 (.455) from the floor and 14-of-17 (.824) from the stripe.
 
Bowling Green made 18-of-20 from the line and turned nine Campbell turnovers into 20 points.  The Falcons finished the game shooting 43 percent (26-60) from the field and made 8-of-19 threes.
 
Campbell jumped to an early 10-4 lead when Burk hit a three from the right wing with 16:08 left in the half. However, Bowling Green answered with a 22-3 run and led 26-13 after Derek Koch's bucket with 10:56 remaining.
 
The Falcons shot 46.9 percent from the floor in the opening half, but held a 14-4 edge in points off turnovers and 9-2 in second-chance points.  Whitfield scored 15 first-half points for the Camels, who made 38.5 percent from the floor and just 2-of-10 beyond the arc.
 
USC Upstate 88, Abilene Christian 78
 
Ramel Thompkins and Deion Holmes led five USC Upstate players in double figures with 19 points each and the Spartans defeated Abilene Christian 88-78 in Saturday's second game of the Creek Classic at Gore Arena.
 
Malik Moore (10 rebounds) added 17 points, Mike Cunningham 13 and Isaiah Anderson 10 for the Spartans, who made 11 of their first 15 shots in the second half to build a 21-point lead.
 
Upstate (3-4) shot 63.6 percent (14-22) in the second half, 53.7 percent (29-54) for the game, and made 13-of-29 from 3-point range.  The Spartans also made 17-of-18 from the stripe, including 13-of-13 in the final stanza.
 
Jaren Lewis led Abilene Christian (3-3) with 16 points, while Jaylen Franklin added 12 and Jalone Friday 10 for the Wildcats, who shot 46.6 percent from the floor.
 
The Creek Classic concludes Sunday when Abilene Christian meets Bowling Green at 1 p.m., followed by Campbell against USC Upstate at 4 p.m.