High Point used a 13-0 first half run to grab a 37-35 halftime lead, but visiting Winthrop countered with 18 consecutive points in the second half and eventually cruised to an 86-70 win over the Panthers Saturday afternoon at the Millis Center.

The Panthers drop to 6-17, 2-10 in the Big South, while Winthrop snaps a two-game skid and remains in first place in the conference (16-9, 8-3).

Winthrop's Pierre Wooten led all scorers with 20 points, while Alex English poured in a career-best 18 points.

The Panthers placed four players in double-figures, led by Joe Knight and Dustin Van Weerdhuizen (19 points each). Danny Gathings and Brent Halsch scored 12 points apiece.

HPU trailed early 26-12 before the Panthers got hot from three-point range. Treys by Van Weerdhuizen, Halsch, and Jeff Allen cut the Eagles' lead to 26-25 with 3:59 left before halftime. The Panthers eventually took their first lead at 34-31 on a Knight three-pointer with 1:49 to play and led 37-35 at the half.

HPU shot 54 percent (7-of-13) from behind the arc in the first half. Not to be outdone, the Eagles fired 50 percent (11-of-22) from the field overall in the same span.

The Panthers stretched their lead out to as much as five (56-51 with 12:56 remaining) before Winthrop caught fire and scored 18 straight points to grab a 69-56 advantage and effectively put the game out of hand.

HPU pulled within 73-66 on a Van Weerdhuizen layup with 3:50 to go but would get no closer.

Winthrop's 86 points scored is the most for the Eagles this season.

High Point returns to action Wednesday night at future Big South member Birmingham-Southern. Tip-off at Bill Battle Coliseum is scheduled for 8:00 pm EST.