Estero, Fla. – The High Point University men's basketball team closed out the week at the Gulf Coast Showcase with a heartbreaking loss in the Championship game to Hofstra on Wednesday, November 22. A four-point play with an and-one three from
Duke Miles sent the game into overtime, but unfortunately, the Panthers were unable to take the lead in the extra five minutes of play, and came up short 97-92.
High Point was announced as the tournament runner-up following the completion of the game and
Abdoulaye Thiam was named to the All-Tournament team. Over the three games, Thiam tallied 64 points to average 21.3 points per game.
"Our team competed with a tremendous amount of tenacity throughout the week," head coach
Alan Huss stated. "Although we came up short in the championship game. We know we have the pieces for a championship level basketball team. We are hungry to get back to the practice floor and continue our process of improvement."
Site: Hertz Arena
Score: High Point 92, Hofstra 97
Records: High Point (3-3), Hofstra (4-2)
Down by six with 26 seconds left to go in the game, the Panthers fought back and found a way to tie the game. Two free throws from
Kezza Giffa cut the game to four with 21 seconds left. A turnover by the Pride on an inbound throw in gave HPU the ball back with 18 seconds left.
Drawing up a play after a High Point timeout, Miles came off a curl at the top of the key and drained a three from the sideline pass in from Giffa. Getting fouled on the shot, Miles knocked in the extra point at the line with ease to tie the game at 88 all.
Eighteen seconds of solid defense sent the game into overtime which was the first time in the Gulf Coast Showcase history.
In the five extra minutes of action, the Panthers were only able to score four points, all earned from the line. Down by two with 19 seconds left High Point had three chances to tie the game again. After picking up a steal and grabbing three offensive rebounds from three shot attempts, the Panthers could not buy a basket.
Through 45 minutes of play, the Panthers trailed for majority of the game only taking the lead once in the opening four minutes. The largest lead of the game was taken by Hofstra with 1:44 left to play in the first half as HPU stayed within arm's reach through the second.
After a struggling first half from the free throw line and three-point line going 4-for-11 and 1-for-12 respectively, HPU had a better appearance in the second. The Panthers went 7-for-14 from deep in the second and 22-for-26 from the line.
For the second consecutive game,
Trae Benham led the team in rebounding, bring down 11 total. Complimenting Benham,
Kimani Hamilton finished with 10 rebounds. Miles ended the game with a career-high 32 points, adding four assists, two blocks and two rebounds.
Up Next:
Following the Thanksgiving holiday, High Point will host Division II opponent the University of Mount Olive on Sunday, November 26 at 4:00 pm inside the Qubein Center.
#GoHPU
