Wednesday, January 10, 2001

            BLUE HOSE KNOCK OFF #5 WINGATE UNIVERSITY 79-66
PC places four players in double figures in upset win

CLINTON, SC — Presbyterian sophomore center Rod Isom (Anderson, SC) scored a team-high 17 points and added 10 rebounds to lead the Blue Hose to a 79-66 upset win over #5-ranked Wingate University in South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball action.

Wingate took control early in the first half and stacked out a 11-6 lead at the 13:50 mark. PC cut into the lead throughout the first half and pulled to within one at 21-20 at the 5:45 mark only to see the Bulldogs go on a 17-10 run to end the half to take a 38-30 halftime lead. Both teams shot well in the first frame with Wingate shooting 48.4% from the field and five-of-10 from three-point land while PC shot 46.2% from the field, but was 0-for-5 from beyond the arc. The second half saw the Blue Hose open up on a 11-0 run to take a 39-38 lead at the 15:32 mark.  PC’s defense held the Bulldogs scoreless for the first five minutes of the half.

Both teams traded the lead for the next few minutes, but PC was able to pull out to a seven point lead at 53-46 with 9:46 remaining. The Bulldogs fought back and cut the lead to 64-59 with 3:07 remaining, but would not get any closer. Presbyterian hit eight-of-10 free throws in the last two minutes to ice the game.

The loss snapped #5-ranked Wingate University’s 13- game win streak which was tied for the best win streak in the nation. Presbyterian was led by Isom’s double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds while senior forward D.J. Humphries (Union, SC) scored 12 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Chuck Rayford (Greenville, SC) and sophomore forward Curtis Stamps (Marion, SC) each added 11 points.

Wingate was led by senior forward Jonathan Tyson (Matthews, SC) who scored a game-high 18 points while freshman guard Keenan Dunn (Charlotte, NC) added 14 points.  Sophomore guard Djuan Hankins (Roanoke, VA) rounded out the double figure scorers with 11 points.

The Blue Hose dominated the boards, holding a 46-28 advantage and forced 21 Bulldogs on the night. Wingate, who entered the game averaging 93 points per game, was held to 66 points Wednesday night.

Presbyterian improves to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in the SAC while #5 Wingate falls to 13-1, 1-1 in the SAC.