Clinton, S.C. – After a week off from game action, the High Point University men's basketball team traveled to Presbyterian College for a mid-week conference battle. The Panthers snuck by with an 86-83 victory, led by
Kezza Giffa with 27 points.
High Point advances to 4-0 in the Big South and remains one of two teams unbeaten in the league.
"It is extremely difficult to win on the road in college basketball," Head Coach
Alan Huss stated. "We were fortunate to get a win tonight. PC was the aggressor in all phases of the game. We cannot wait to get back to work tomorrow and begin prepping for a difficult game against Charleston Southern on Saturday at Qubein Arena."
Site: Templeton Arena
Score: High Point 86, Presbyterian 83
Records: High Point (15-4, 4-0), Presbyterian (9-11, 1-4)
Early in the action, HPU needed some life in the team and Giffa answered the call off the bench. The Panthers connected on three straight trips down the court from defensive stops. Giffa scored on all three trips making for a seven-point swing giving High Point its first lead of the game at 15-13.
A turnaround hook shot from
Juslin Bodo Bodo stretched the Panthers lead to 10 with just under eight minutes left to play in the first half.
After having a five-point lead at 27-22, High Point missed shots during three possession while the Blue Hose converted on the other end. Presbyterian closed the gap to a one-point game with 3:26 left to go before the break.
A
Titas Sargiunas jump shot and a
Trae Benham three bumped the lead back to six going into the half at 37-31.
With help from the crowd, the Blue Hose gained some momentum. Making it a one-point game, PC hit a big three before a free throw tied the game at 47 all at the 12-minute mark.
Through the remainder of the game, High Point never lost site of the lead and extended the game to 10 with 57 seconds left on the clock. Presbyterian kept battling and knocked down multiple three pointers at the end, but the Panthers helped secure the win going 6-for-8 from the line in the final seconds.
Along with Giffa, two other Panthers scored in double figures including
Kimani Hamilton with 21 and
Duke Miles with 17. Bodo Bodo led with nine rebounds.
Up Next:
High Point hosts Charleston Southern on Saturday, January 20 for spirit admissions weekend. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m.
#GoHPU
