Wednesday,
January 15, 2003
WINGATE
WINS THRILLER OVER #24 PRESBYTERIAN 64-60
CLINTON,
S.C. — Wingate
University junior guard Titus Miller (Spartanburg, S.C.) tallied a game-high 18 points
including 13 points in the final six minutes as the Bulldogs
defeated #24-ranked Presbyterian College 64-60 in South
Atlantic Conference men’s basketball action Wednesday night.
Presbyterian
held a nine-point lead (56-47) at the 8:57 mark of the game
before the Bulldogs used a 11-0 run in the next four minutes
to retake the lead for the first time since early first half
at 58-56. During that span the Blue Hose were held without a
point, and did not score until senior guard Chuck
Rayford (Greenville,
S.C.) scored a layup at the 3:57 mark of the game to tie the
game at 58-58.
Wingate’s
Miller and Presbyterian’s freshman forward Michael
Drum (Rural Hall, N.C.) traded baskets to as the game
was again tied this time at 60-60. Wingate’s senior guard Djuan
Hankins (Roanoke, Va.) and Miller each hit a pair of free
throws in the final minutes to seal the win.
The
Bulldogs improve to 8-7 overall and 1-1 in the SAC while the
Blue Hose fall to 14-3 overall and 1-1 in the SAC. In the
process, Presbyterian has their nine-game win streak snapped.
The
first half was closely contested as neither team was able to
maintain a lead until PC pulled ahead 27-21 at the 2:47 mark
on a three-pointer by senior forward Curtis Stamps (Marion,
S.C.). The Bulldogs used a 8-3 run in the final minutes of the
half to cut the lead to 30-29 entering intermission.
The
Blue Hose held the lead throughout the second half with their
biggest margin coming on Rayford’s three-pointer at the 8:37
mark with PC ahead 56-47.
Joining
Miller for Bulldogs scoring honors was senior center Njogou
Bah (Banjul, The Gambia) who tallied 14 points and 10
rebounds while Hankins added 11 points and junior forward Adam
Vandergrift (Hillsborough, N.C.) added 10 points.
PC was led in scoring by Rayford’s 16 points to go along with eight rebounds while Drum added 12 points and six rebounds. The Blue Hose dominated the boards 40-33 including holding a 11-5 edge in offensive rebounds but turned the ball over 20 times.