CLINTON, S.C. - The High Point University Panthers played the Presbyterian College Blue Hose Saturday afternoon in Clinton, South Carolina. The Panthers defeated the Blue Hose 84-72 thanks to an all-around offensive game.
Site: Templeton Center
Score: High Point 84, Presbyterian 72
Records: High Point (19-5, 7-2) Presbyterian (9-15, 2-7)
The Panthers opened the game hot on offense, starting on an 11-7 run before the first timeout. High Point gained momentum through the paint to begin the game, with center Juslin Bodo Bodo hammering down a dunk. Then, point guard Kezza Giffa grabbed the rebound off a miss and forcefully put the ball back up to extend the early lead.
Both teams' shot selections were contested, and Presbyterian had multiple second-chance opportunities until Bobby Pettiford entered the equation. Pettiford forced a turnover, grabbed the ball, and drew the foul for a three-point play.
Hamilton got into the mix, breaking away with another three-point play one possession later, hitting both free throws after getting fouled on a shot. Hamilton continued to shine on offense with a pull-up jumper to reach double-figures, extending the Panthers' lead to 11 (26-15, 8:41 - 1st).
At the 7:32 mark in the first half, Chase Johnston hit his lone three of the game. Giffa began to find his rhythm once again with a quick bucket before knocking down both free throws after getting fouled to extend the Panthers' lead to 33-21.
High Point continued to play consistently in the paint, which culminated in a Johnston floater and a Bodo Bodo monster dunk at 1:01.
As the clock ticked down, Pettiford did what he does best while under pressure; sank a floater with just four seconds remaining, sending the Panthers into the break with a 46-31 lead.
On the shooting side, the Panthers were very efficient in the first half, shooting 71% from the floor and 50% from three.
The Panthers opened up the second half, extending the lead 51-34 behind a Williams layup and three-pointer. However, Presbyterian still fought back, going on a 16-2 run in just under three and a half minutes, making it 53-50.
Despite the comeback, the Panthers were able to jump back out to an 11-point lead behind two Trae Benham three-pointers and another Bodo Bodo dunk with 10:38 remaining. Presbyterian made another comeback, bringing the game within one at 70-69 with 5:01 remaining, but Williams drove to the basket, got fouled, and completed the three-point play.
After draining much of the remaining clock in the contest, Williams made a clutch three-pointer to extend the High Points lead to nine at 79-70 with 1:08 remaining.
In the final minute, Presbyterian missed a three, Bodo Bodo grabbed the rebound, and Pettiford finished the possession off with a contested layup while drawing the foul. Pettiford completed the three-point play by sinking the free throw. Both teams traded one final bucket, and the Panthers held on to win.
Four Panthers finished with double-digits as D'Maurian Williams led the game with 20 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal. Bodo Bodo was one point and one rebound away from a double-double finishing with nine points and a team-high nine rebounds.
Up Next:
High Point heads to Radford, VA, to face the Radford Highlanders on Wednesday, February 5. Tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
#GoHPU x #OnTheProwl
