Box Score BOX SCORE

High Point University junior Nick Barbour scored a season-high 32 points and HPU was within two points with under three minutes remaining but the HPU men's basketball team couldn't keep up with VMI's outside shooting and took a 97-91 loss to the Keydets on Saturday at the Millis Center.

“We're still working to build the program and we have the right pieces here,” said HPU head coach Scott Cherry. “But with a young team sometimes you don't make the shots or get the stops at those crucial times. We got those when we won those three games in a row in December but we haven't been getting them in the last few games.”

VMI's Austin Kenon scored a game-high 33 points, Keith Gabriel scored 20 and sophomore forward Stan Okoye had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds.

High Point had two players with double-doubles in a game for the first time this season. HPU freshman Du'Vaughn Maxwell got his first career double-double with a season-high 15 points and 10 rebounds. Redshirt-sophomore Corey Law scored 10 points and got 12 boards.

High Point fell to 5-11 overall and 2-5 in Big South play while VMI improved to 11-7 overall and 4-4 in the Big South.

As advertised, the game started fast with Barbour hitting a three, VMI's Gabriel hitting a three, and Barbour hitting another three for the Panthers on the first three possessions. The up-and-down play continued in the early part of the game with Justin Cheek hitting a fast-break three to put HPU on top 20-18, VMI's Ron Burks putting back his own shot to tie it and Barbour converting a two-and-one to put HPU back up, 23-20, all in the span of a minute on the clock.

The Panthers held that lead, getting it to 30-27, before each team went on its own 7-0 run. VMI was able to take a 34-30 lead before a tip-in by Maxwell started a 7-0 run for the Panthers that made it 37-34 HPU. It stayed close through the remainder of the first half, with the score tied twice before VMI closed it out hitting three of four free throws to make it 46-43 at the half.

The second half started similar to the first, with VMI's Gabriel hitting a three followed by a trey for Barbour. The Panthers got their first lead of the second half at 51-49 and led, 53-52, when Maxwell tipped in a shot. A 10-3 run by VMI ensued, including three three-pointers to make it 62-56 Keydets. HPU scored 12 of the next 18 points capped by a Maxwell layup to pull back within one (68-67) and the Panthers were within one again (72-71) but VMI's Kenon hit his fifth three-pointer of the game to keep the Keydets out in front.

In the closing minutes, the Panthers were within two points (78-76) on a Shine free throw, but HPU couldn't keep up with VMI's 10 second-half three-pointers. Barbour scored 11 points in the last minute but the Keydets sank nine free throws in the same span to hold on for the win.

High Point outrebounded VMI, 50-38, in the game including 19-8 on the offensive glass. VMI made 14 three-pointers in the game, which proved to be the difference in the scoring column.

The Panthers have a pair of road games next week before hosting five in a row after that. HPU plays at Presbyterian on Thursday and at Winthrop on Saturday. Both games begin at 7 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on ESPN Radio, 1230 AM, and on the Big South Network.