WILMINGTON, N.C. – The High Point University men's basketball team traveled east for a matchup with UNCW from the CAA conference. In a battle to come back from a 22-point deficit, the Panthers came up short by three, loosing 82-85.
Site: Trask Coliseum
Score: High Point 82, UNCW 82
Records: High Point (8-3) UNCW (9-3)
UNCW started off on a hot streak at their home gym, taking a 10-2 lead in the first three minutes of play.
A lay-up from
Jaden House helped the Panthers get in a groove, helping the team close it to 11-14 at the 12:41 mark.
The Seahawks kept the pressure on, extending their lead to as many at 14 before the break. A three-pointer from House kept HPU within 10 at the end of the first.
Early in the second half,
Bryant Randleman took it through the lane, adding some spice to his drive he drew the and-one foul to make it 34-43.
The Seahawks gained a strong momentum, taking a 22-point lead with 13 minutes left to play.
A combination of lay-ups, three-pointers and free throws helped the Panthers close UNCW's large lead to five, including three from deep by
Abdoulaye Thiam, with just over six minutes to go.
The final three minutes of play were stretched long as High Point did everything they could to get back in the game. Substituting offense for defense while trying to get a steal or foul to stop the clock helped the Panthers come within three points, but with two seconds left on the clock it was not enough time to get another look.
House finished with 25 points and four rebounds while Thiam followed with 18 points and three rebounds, going 4-for-7 from deep. UNCW had five players score in double figures with Trazarien White leading the way with 19.
Up Next: High Point stays on the road for their final non-conference matchup at East Carolina, on Wednesday, December 21
st at 6:00 PM.
#GoHPU
