HIGH POINT, N.C. - The High Point University Panthers secured an 80-73 win on Monday night at the Qubein Center led by
Abdoulaye Thiam with a season-high 22 points. The Panthers defeated the visiting American University Eagles and extended HPU's win streak to 5-0, making it the best start to a season in program history since becoming Division I in 1999.
"We did not have our best stuff tonight," Head Coach
Alan Huss stated. "Obviously a big part of that is we have five guys that probably would beat anybody on our schedule right now sitting in street clothes tonight… I was pleased, you look around, we had two freshman step up and play really effective minutes tonight. We just went through the entire schedule that we have played so far, and we have had one freshman that we played against. We got two of them that helped us win the game tonight, and I thought that was awesome. They (American) are really good, they are really effective. I am proud of our guys for finding a win because that is a good team, and they are really good at what they do."
Site: Qubein Center
Score: High Point 80, American 73
Records: High Point (5-0), American (1-4)
D'Maurian Williams battled his way to the bucket for two to give High Point its first points of the game. Williams added his fifth and eight points of the game after splashing down back-to-back triples to trim down American's early lead, 15-12.
An offensive rebound and second-chance layup from
Juslin Bodo Bodo gave the Panthers their first lead of the game, 16-15. Thiam helped regain the lead for the Panthers down the stretch as he single-handedly outscored American, 7-2, over the span of two minutes and 19 seconds.
Williams' early hot hand continued as he drained his third three-pointer of the game from the right corner to give HPU a 26-23 lead. Titas Sarguinas recorded his first points of the game with a three-pointer to advance HPU's lead, 33-27. A fadeaway, turnaround jumper from Thiam pushed the Panthers' lead to double-digits, 39-29, and closed out the first-half of action.
Williams led the way in scoring for HPU at halftime with 13 points, and Thiam was right behind him with 11 points.
HPU kicked off the second-half with another bucket from Williams, his 15th point of the night.
Braden Hausen used some beautiful footwork to get his defender jumping in the air, and help him convert a tough, and-one, three-point play to the Panthers a 57-50 lead with 11:43 remaining in the second-half.
"He (Hausen) has got a lot of guts," Huss said. He is not afraid of the moment and you can see that… he is ready for the moment when he gets his opportunity."
Thiam got HPU fans on their feet after his hustle earned himself an offensive rebound that resulted in him converting an and-one, three-point play. He added to his fantastic scoring night by putting his defender in a spin cycle, resulting in a two-point basket and a 69-61 lead for HPU with just under seven minutes left to go in the game.
"It was a good opportunity for me to really show what I have been working on, and to also just keep my confidence up," said Thiam.
After a quiet start,
Chase Johnston got on the board with a floater for his first points of the game to put the Panthers back up by 10 with 5:56 remaining in the game.
HPU converted five of its six free-throw attempts in the last minute of action to help seal the win for the Panthers, 80-73.
The Panthers incredible, undefeated start continues as HPU moves to 5-0 on the season before making the trip to the Cayman Islands for the Cayman Islands Classic.
"I am proud of them," Huss added. "I am proud of the start. We have had to do it a lot of different ways. We are definitely not in any kind of rhythm yet. We'll get there as we get a little healthier, and get used to each other. I am excited to go to war with these men and I think they are equally excited to go to war with their brothers, and battle with these guys that they have worked so hard through the spring, summer and fall with."
To go along with Thiam's great night, Williams finished with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists, and Hamilton finished with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists.
"We work a lot so that just gives us the confidence to go out there and play," Thiam added. "This game was not really that pretty but we have to go back to the drawing board and keep finding ways to get better on defense and on offensive."
UP NEXT:
The Panthers will travel to the Grand Cayman to compete in the Cayman Islands Classic on Sunday, November 24 against Missouri State University at 5:00 p.m.
#GoHPU x #OnTheProwl
