NEWPORT NEWS - The Apprentice School men's basketball team needed free throws down the stretch to take down Virginia Peninsula Community College Wednesday night in a 61-55 thriller.

The two teams voted atop the New South Athletic Conference preseason poll showed why they were picked there in a back-and-forth affair. After the Builders took a five point lead into intermission, they stormed away early in the second half to lead by as many as 15 before the Gators clawed back into the game, trimming the lead to as few as two with under 30 seconds to go. Apprentice hit four straight free throws in the waning moments to clinch the win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Shawn Eley led the Builders in scoring with 13 points, while Karree Smith added 11. Caleb Mielewski put up 10 off the bench.
• Eley finished with a double-double, securing 12 rebounds on the night.
• Apprentice was +18 in the rebound margin.

NEXT UP

The Builders will host Berkeley on Friday night at 7 p.m.