Site: Charleston, S.C (Buccaneer Fieldhouse)
Score: High Point 66, Charleston Southern 70
Records: High Point (7-10, 1-2), Charleston Southern (4-13) (1-4)
CHARLESTON, S.C.—High Point University men's basketball's comeback effort against Charleston Southern fell just short in the final moments as the Buccaneers won 70-66. John-Michael Wright had his best scoring night ever in a High Point uniform as he went 13-22 and dropped 34 points. It was the first time Wright had scored 30 points in his HPU career since January 30th of his freshman year back in 2020 against Campbell. It was the third time JMW ever scored at least 30 points for HPU. Zack Austin and Jaden House also scored double digits as Austin had 14 and House finished with 11 points.
Tubby Smith: Well, you certainly have to commend Charleston Southern for making the plays down the stretch. We had some defensive breakdowns, but they still had to make shots and they did. Our problem was at the end of the first half when we just couldn't score. It was disappointing to see our lack of execution, especially down the stretch. We made some shots but then we made some boneheaded decisions. Hopefully, we can gather ourselves, regroup, and get ready for Hampton.
Coach Smith on JMW's Career High Point Performance: He was unbelievable tonight. I can't say enough about how hard he plays, the heart and courage he plays with, the commitment he has at both ends of the court. He believes in what we are doing, he trusts the system.
Panther Particulars
Wright got the Panther offense started through the first 10 minutes of the game. Wright scored the first nine of HPU's 11 points. Wright started the game going 4-6, scoring his nine points over about eight minutes.
Following the under 12 media in the first half House delivered a three-pointer to give HPU a 14-8 lead with 11:11 to play in the first half.
Austin nailed a three with 3:45 to go in the half to give HPU a 21-19 lead.
CSU used a 15-2 run in the final 3:45 of the half to take a 34-23 lead into the break.
Emmanuel Izunabor started the second half with a basket for HPU.
It was quickly followed by an Austin three which made it a 34-28 game with 18:35 left to play the Panthers were within six points.
House provided a huge momentum play for HPU with 15:46 to go as he sprinted down the court then soared to the basket to throw down an emphatic jam. House's slam made it a six-point game and shifted the momentum in favor of the Panthers.
With 15:05 left, Wright drove to the rim and was fouled for the and-one. He completed the three-point play to make it a three-point game, as CSU led 40-37.
The Panther pressure continued as HPU kept battling back, with 13:09 left to play Wright brought HPU within one 43-42 with a three-pointer.
Buccaneer goaltending on a shot from Wright with 11:27 to give HPU its first lead of the half, 46-45.
Austin started to really come alive in the last ten minutes of the game as he hit a three with 9:28 left to put HPU up one then he provided his fourth three-pointer of the game with 8:00 to play giving his Panthers a 54-52 lead.
Wright brought down a rebound with 7:21 to play and was fouled as he threw up a shot attempt that counted. He completed the three-point play to give HPU a 57-54 lead.
With 5:15 to go Austin delivered a rim-shaking slam to extend the Panther lead by four, 60-56.
JMW pulled up from the free-throw line with less than three minutes to play and scored to take his evening point total to 30 points for the third time in his Panther career. He put HPU up 62-58.
With less than 20 seconds to play CSU had taken a 65-52 lead after several trips to the free-throw line. JMW drove to the basket and was fouled he completed yet another three-point play to tie the game at 65. With the three-point play which took him to 33 points on the night, he surpassed his previous career-best of 31 which he set against Gardner-Webb as a freshman.
The Buccaneers hit a three on the other end to go up 68-65 with four seconds to play.
Wright brought the ball down and was fouled with three seconds to go. He went to the line as CSU was in the bonus. Wright made the first to make it a two-point game, 68-66. He successfully missed the second one, but HPU was unable to bring in the rebound.
Charleston Southern went on to win 70-66.
Up Next
HPU remains on the road with a trip to the northernmost Big South school Hampton for a Saturday afternoon contest.
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