HIGH POINT, N.C. - The Panthers closed out the game on a 9-3 scoring run to seal the win for the High Point University men's basketball team on Saturday night behind a season-high 26 points from
Kimani Hamilton to give HPU its fourth conference victory of the season.
"I am really pleased with our guys' second half effort tonight. It is a difficult deal turning around on such a quick turnaround coming off an emotional road game on Thursday night against a really good Longwood team… we are fortunate to get out with a win." said Head Coach
Alan Huss."
Site: Qubein Center
Score: High Point 77, Presbyterian 66
Records: High Point (16-5, 4-2), Presbyterian (8-12, 1-4)
It was a new look for the Panthers as they came out wearing their newly-debuted, lavender jerseys.
Hamilton gave the Panthers a huge boost to start the game, scoring the first seven points for HPU including an and-one conversion, and a three-pointer from the top of the key to put Presbyterian in an early 7-0 deficit. The Panther's scoring did not stop there as Hamilton found
Chase Johnston in the corner for three points as HPU jumped out to an early double-digit lead, 15-5.
Terry Anderson found
Trae Benham in the left corner for an open three-pointer to give the Panthers a 26-17 lead. HPU converted its fourth triple of the first half after
Kimani Hamilton drew a double-team down low in the paint, allowing him to find a wide-open
Simon Hildebrandt from beyond the three-point line for an easy three points.
The Panthers regained the lead, 38-37, thanks to a transition three-pointer from
Chase Johnston on the right wing just before the end of the half.
A Presbyterian free-throw tied the game up at 38 all heading into halftime. Hamilton led the way in scoring for HPU with nine points, and Johnston finished the half with eight points.
The 54.3 percent free-throw shooter this season,
Juslin Bodo Bodo drained two free-throws to give HPU its first two points of the second half.
Hamilton soared through the lane for an open two-handed slam to put HPU back in the lead, 42-41, and put Hamilton in double-figures in scoring with 11 points.
Bobby Pettiford drove to the basket and flipped up a remarkable, reverse left-handed layup. A steal on one end by Benham led to Pettiford flying up court with the ball and finding a trailing
D'Maurian Williams on the right wing for the triple to give HPU a 55-48 lead with 9:40 remaining in the second half.
"I felt like Trae kind of ignited us with that hustle play. Plays like that are just incredibly contagious. I thought that play turned everything. I thought it turned the tide," said Huss.
Hamilton fought his way inside for a tough basket to give him 17 points on the night and advance the Panthers' lead 61-55. An offensive rebound for Hamilton led to him finding Benham open from the perimeter for the three-pointer and second-chance opportunity.
Pettiford sliced his way through the lane and found Bodo up top for the two-handed alley-oop jam.
Hamilton got fans on their feet and in shock as he slammed home an incredibly impressive one-handed dunk over a defender for the and-one. He converted the free-throw at the line for the three-point play to push HPU's lead back to double-digits, 75-65. Hamilton was not done scoring the ball as he sealed the game for the Panthers with a two-point jumper to give HPU the 77-66 win.
Hamilton started the game off scoring the first seven points for the Panthers and closed the game with HPU's last seven points as he finished with a game and season-high 26 points to go along with five rebounds and three assists.
"He was tremendous. He finished around the basket, made a couple free throws, and handled the ball. He was just really solid," said Huss.
Pettiford finished with 10 points and four assists. Bodo added six points and 12 rebounds.
"Bobby did what Bobby does… He did a really nice job of taking care of the ball and just getting it to the right guy. Even when he did not get the assist, he got the ball to the appropriate person," said Huss.
High Point finished the game shooting 53.8 percent overall from the court, and 73.7 percent from the free-throw line.
It was Huss' 43rd win of his coaching career which is the most ever in Big South Conference history in a coach's first two seasons.
UP NEXT: High Point will hit the road to Spartanburg, S.C. for a Big South conference matchup versus USC Upstate on Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.
#GoHPU x #OnTheProwl
