Box Score BOX SCORE

The High Point University men's basketball team got 13 points and nine rebounds from Shay Shine and 10 points and six boards from Du'Vaughn Maxwell, but took a 77-49 loss to Winthrop on Saturday night in Rock Hill, S.C. Maxwell shot 5-for-5 from the floor, the second game in a row he shot 100 percent.

“I give Winthrop a lot of credit, they had a plan and executed it. They made a lot of jump shots,” said HPU head coach Scott Cherry. “Our guys fought hard, but we didn't get on track offensively and Winthrop did. We've just got to keep developing our young guys and gaining confidence. We'll regroup and feel good about being at home for the next five games. This season can turn around pretty quickly.”

High Point fell to 6-12 overall and 3-6 in the Big South while Winthrop improved to 9-10 overall and 5-4 in league play.

Winthrop held High Point under 32 percent shooting in the first half and at 37.3 percent in the game while the Eagles were able to make 60.4 percent (29-of-48) of their shots from the floor. The Panthers never led.

Winthrop spread its scoring around with four players in double-figures led by George Valentine's 13. He also grabbed 11 rebounds for a double-double while Andre Jones scored 11 and Charles Corbin and Reggie Middleton each scored 10.

Winthrop hit the first three baskets and got out to a 7-2 lead to open the game before Shine buried his first three-pointer from the right side. The Eagles made it 11-7 before Justin Cheek drew a three-shot foul and sank all three. The 11-10 gap was the closest it would be for the rest of the game. A Valentine two-and-one on the next possession made it 14-10 in favor of the Eagles and the Panthers fell into a 23-12 hole before a three-point play by Jairus Simms.

Winthrop was able to continue the trend throughout the half, making baskets while forcing turnovers and tough shots for the Panthers. Seven straight points going into the break made it 36-21.

The Panthers started the second half with two steals that led to fast-break baskets. First, Maxwell picked Corbin's pocket and went in for a dunk before Shine stole the ball from Jones and laid it in. The Panthers were within 12 before Middleton hit a three from the left side that made it 45-30. That was the start of a 17-9 run gave Winthrop its first 20-point lead (59-39) on a Valentine layup. The Panthers hit two of the next three baskets before 11 straight Winthrop points made it 71-43.

The Panthers got some respite when Earnest Bridges hit a second-chance jumper, then stole the ball and made a fast-break dunk late in the game, but the Panthers couldn't make a serious run in the final minutes.

The Panthers play their next five games at the Millis Center starting Thursday at 7 p.m. against league leader Coastal Carolina.