ROCK HILL, S.C. – Drew Buggs hit a fadeaway jumper with 4 seconds to play and Winthrop rallied late for a 74-72 win over Campbell Monday at the Winthrop Coliseum.
 
Jordan Whitfield's pullup three from 25 feet at the final horn was on target, but just short and bounded off the front rim.
 
In a game that included 14 ties and 10 lead changes, the Eagles (8-6, 1-0) rallied from a six-point deficit with 2:59 to go.
 
Neither team led by more than six over the final 17:21 of play in a game that matched the two preseason divisional favorites in the Big South Conference.
 
"It was disappointing, obviously. We played hard, but we didn't get the final result," said Campbell head coach Kevin McGeehan.  "We've got to dig deep, trust each other and make it happen."
 
Jesus Carralero made a hook shot with 2:59 remaining to give the Camels a 70-64 lead.  However, the junior forward was called for a flagrant foul on the next possession.  Kelton Talford hit two free throws to pull the Eagles within 70-66 with 2:38 to play, then Patrick Good connected from three seven seconds later to draw Winthrop within 70-69.
 
Carralero scored on another jumper with 2:01 remaining to stretch the lead back to three, but Cory Hightower drew the Eagles even on a triple with 50 seconds to play.
 
Whitfield's jumper went in-and-out with 31 seconds to go, and after calling time out, Winthrop held the ball till late in the shot clock.  A graduate transfer from Missouri, Buggs dribbled into the lane, then pulled up in the lane to put the Eagles ahead.
 
Hightower led Winthrop with 17 points – including 5-of-6 threes – and eight rebounds.  Buggs finished with 12 points and four assists, while Micheal Anumba added 10 points for the Eagles, who shot 51 percent (27-53) from the floor and made 11-of-28 (.393) threes.
 
Cedric Henderson, Jr., matched his season high with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting for the Camels, who made 24-of-48 (.500) from the floor and 7-of-17 (.412) beyond the arc.  Whitfield added a season-best 17 on 5-of-10 from the field, while Carralero finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and five assists. 
 
Campbell (7-6, 0-2) made as many free throws (17-24) as Winthrop attempted (9-of-17), but the Eagles finished with a 32-26 edge on the glass and a 12-3 advantage in second chance points.
 
The Camels closed the opening half on a 10-3 run and went to the dressing room tied with the Eagles at 35.  Whitfield scored 13 first-half points for the Camels, who shot 48 percent (12-25) from the floor, including 3-of-7 threes.
 
Winthrop shot 54 percent (14-26) in the opening half and made 6-of-15 triples, but the Camels made two more free throws (8-13) than the Eagles attempted.
 
NOTES:
 

• Winthrop was the first opponent this season to top the 70-point barrier against Campbell, which entered the game ranked 20th in the nation in scoring defense (59.7).
• Big South preseason player of the year, D.J. Burns, Jr. of Winthrop entered the game ranked 2nd among league leaders in scoring (17.2) and FG% (.628) and 15th in rebounding (5.1), but was limited to just seven points in 15 minutes of action and fouled out with 3:35 to play.
• The Camels host Charleston Southern Wednesday (7:00 p.m.).  No spectators will be allowed at Gore Arena through Jan. 19 due to University Health & Safety guidelines, but the game will air on ESPN+.