CLINTON, S.C. – The High Point men's basketball team traveled to Presbyterian for a mid-week Big South conference game. The Panthers pulled out the nail-biting win, 71-69. HPU was led by
Jaden House with 21 points, while
Zack Austin trailed behind with 19.
Site: Templeton Center
Score: High Point 71, Presbyterian 69
Records: High Point (12-15, 4-11), Presbyterian (5-23, 1-14)
Coaches
G.G. Smith: "We are excited about getting our first road win in league play. Presbyterian is a tough matchup for us because they play so physical. This game reminded me of us playing in SoCal, we were down late and managed to comeback with our press and get the win. Bryant was unbelievable the whole game, showed great leadership. Jaden and Zach played aggressive and showed some poise down the stretch. Looking forward to getting back home and playing Upstate on Saturday."
High Point opened the game in full force, kicking it off with an early baseline dunk from Austin.
Pushing the pace at the point,
Bryant Randleman drove back-to-back possessions to draw two fouls to go 4-for-4 from the line to make it 9-7 early.
Presbyterian took their fourth lead of the game at the 13-minute mark, but House answered back, swishing a three-pointer to put the Panthers up 15-14.
High Point's defense was active throughout the game, putting the pressure on the Blue Hose in the full court to help attain a game total 15 steals. Randleman led the team with five steals, picking up his first steal of the night in the front court which converted to an easy fast break lay-up to keep the Panthers ahead 21-19.
With six minutes to go in the first half, House tied the game at 23 all. Multiple quality possessions by the Blue Hose gave Presbyterian a nine-point lead at the break, 27-36.
Coming out of the locker room, High Point opened the second half with back-to-back alley-oops from Randleman to Austin.
In two straight possessions, House cashed out from three-point range with back-to-back threes to help close the 13-point gap to three.
Presbyterian remained steady and advanced back to a seven-point lead with seven minutes to go but High Point battled back.
Down three with four minutes to go, Randleman picked up a steal, and dished it off to Austin in the middle of the lane. Finding
Ahmard Harvey on the block, Austin handed off a no look pass for the back-door bucket to put HPU within one.
The Blue Hose advanced on a six-point lead with one minute left on the clock. Getting the and-one, Austin made it a three-point game with 53 seconds left. Forcing a turnover on the defensive end, Austin came down on offense and drawled the foul on a dunk attempt. Knocking down both free throws, High Point remained within one-point, 68-69, with 45 seconds left.
Pressing in the back court, Randleman secured another steal which led to his two clutch free throws to make it 70-69, HPU.
Presbyterian had 23 seconds to either tie the game or take the lead. Taking a drive down the lane, Austin prevented the Blue Hose's shot with a block to give High Point the ball back.
Brock Williams knocked down one free throw to make it 71-69 with 10 seconds left. High Point's strong defense made it hard for the Blue Hose to get a shot off, sending the Panthers home with the victory.
Up Next: The Panthers return to the Qubein Center Saturday, February 18
th for an afternoon matchup at 4:00 p.m. with USC Upstate.
#GoHPU
