SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The High Point University men's basketball team cruised through two halves of action with USC Upstate and picked up the 86-77 win on the road.
 
The Panthers set a new program record in the first half after draining 11 three-pointers as a team. D'Maurian Williams led the way tying his career-high with six made threes to finish with a game-high 22 points.

"I am pleased we found a way to win on the road," Head Coach Alan Huss stated. "Our offense and perimeter shooting carried us early in the game. We did enough in other areas to hold on for the win."
 
Site: G.B. Hodge Center
Score: High Point 86, USC Upstate 77
Records: High Point (17-5, 5-2), USC Upstate (5-16, 1-5)
 
High Point was on fire from the outside in the first half, opening the game in the first five minutes of action with five straight threes following the first layup from Kezza Giffa. Chase Johnston and Williams each contributed a pair of threes and Giffa added one of his own, helping the Panthers jump out on an early lead.
 
Terry Anderson and Trae Benham subbed in and added to the perimeter game as both cashed in three-pointers from opposite corners. Benham's three gave HPU a 10-point lead, 25-15 with just under 11 minutes to go in the first half.
 
With Bobby Pettiford running the point in the second rotation, he found Abdoulaye Thiam diving on the base line for an alley-oop dunk. Williams kept his rhythm and drained three three-pointers in four of the Panthers possessions during a five-minute span, giving HPU its largest lead in the first half, 38-25.
 
Before the end of the first half, Simon Hildebrandt secured a tip-in layup and a three from the top of the key. High Point led 48-37 at the break.
 
In the second half, the Panthers took advantage of the inside game after extending the defense out on the perimeter. Kimani Hamilton and Juslin Bodo Bodo each threw down monstrous dunks as Bodo Bodo put down back-to-back slams to make it 68-52 at the 8:50 mark.
 
With under six minutes to go in the game, Pettiford picked up a steal and kicked it ahead to Hamilton for an easy fast break layup, which gave the Panthers a 19-point lead, 75-56, for their largest margin of the game.
 
High Point held at 10-point lead until the last minute of the game. The Spartans closed the gap to seven with 10 seconds left on the clock. GIffa was sent to the line for two shots and closed out the game sinking both free throws to give HPU the 86-77 victory.
 
The Panthers advanced to 5-2 in Big South play after shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from three-point range for the 10th time this season. The Panthers also went 12-for-15 from the line for 80%.
 
UP NEXT:
High Point returns to the Qubein Center for a home contest against Winthrop University on Saturday, January 25 at 2:00 p.m. for Star Wars Day. Fans are encouraged to wear black for the "Black Out" theme.