DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Playing in the CBI Championships for the first time in program and Big South history, the High Point men's basketball team battled against a challenging Seattle University team. Keeping it close in the second half, the Panthers fell in the final two minutes of play, 77-67 to the Redhawks.
 
High Point was led by Juslin Bodo Bodo and Kezza Giffa who each had 18 points. Bodo Bodo secured his seventh double-double of the season after leading the night with 16 rebounds. Duke Miles contributed 16 points while Kimani Hamilton finished with 12.
 
Site: Ocean Center
Score: High Point 67, Seattle U 77
Records: High Point (27-9, 13-3), Seattle U (23-14, 11-9 WAC)
 
High Point was slow to get the points going in the first half and struggled to get many shots to fall. After a free throw and layup from Abdoulaye Thiam, HPU was stuck at a standstill with three points through nine minutes of action.
 
Seattle U went up 12-3 at the 11:21 mark but a three-pointer from Giffa helped the team produce some momentum as Bodo Bodo followed with a quick layup to make it 15-8.
 
The Redhawks converted on four straight possessions and stretched on a 17-point lead with just under five minutes to go in the first half.
 
High Point regrouped and cut the game to under ten points at 30-22 before going into the locker room.
 
HPU came out in the second half and attacked the basket hard. Bodo Bodo remained active around to rim and cleaned up multiple missed shots with offensive rebounds and put backs. A dump off from Giffa in the lane allowed Bodo Bodo to give High Point its first lead of the game at 41-40 at the 8:30 mark.
 
Seattle U held a short lead through the next five minutes of play until a big three at the top of the key from Giffa made it 67-66, Panthers.
 
The Redhawks answered in the next possession with a three of their own to go back up by two with 1:39 left in the game. A flagrant foul called on the Panthers in the same play during the block out resulted in two free throws for Seattle U and the ball back. The Redhawks scored on the inbounds play under the basket which led to a 6-0 swing for the Redhawks within a matter of seconds.
 
With 1:34 left on the clock, High Point was down 73-67. Taking multiple shot attempts in the final minute, the Panthers were unable to buy a basket and fell 77-67 after the Redhawks made their free throws.
 
This concludes High Point's 2023-24 historic season. The Panthers finished the season, 27-9 which is the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history, and the most wins in HPU's NCAA Division I era. The team finished the conference regular season with an overall record of 13-3 and were crowned the Big South regular season champs for the first time since the 2015-16 season.