Wednesday, January 12, 2005

BLUE HOSE HOLD OFF BULLDOGS IN OVERTIME 97-85

CLINTON, SC – Presbyterian College’s sophomore guard Sean Dixon and junior center Johann Collins combined for 46 points to lead the Blue Hose to a 97-85 overtime win over the visiting Bulldogs of Wingate University in South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball action Wednesday night at the Ross E. Templeton Center.

In the first half, the Blue Hose broke open a closely contested game midway through the half with a 16-7 run to pull ahead 31-20 at the 8:41 mark on a three-pointer by Dixon (Marietta, GA). PC was able to hold off the Bulldogs over the next few minutes before Wingate responded with 12-3 run to close the half and cut the Blue Hose lead to 45-43 entering halftime.

Collins (Raleigh, NC) led the Blue Hose in the first half with 12 points while Wingate was led by graduate forward Gary Marsh (Lillington, NC) and junior guard Edward Idleburg (Norcross, GA) who each scored 10 points apiece. The Blue Hose shot 55.6% from the field in the first half while the Bulldogs shot 40.0%. Both teams shot well from the charity stripe with PC shooting 83.3% and Wingate hitting 11-of-13 at the line for 84.6%.

In the second half, PC pushed the lead to double figures at 58-47 on a three-pointer by junior forward Tray Ballenger (Wellford, SC) at the 14:48 mark. The Blue Hose would watch their lead dwindle as the Bulldogs put together 17-5 run over the next seven minutes to retake the lead at 64-63 on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Ernest Magnum (New London, NC) at the 8:15 mark. In the closing minutes, the game was tied seven more times with neither team able to pull ahead. PC’s sophomore forward Grant Herren (Oviedo, FL) hit a free throw with :10 seconds remaining to put the Blue Hose ahead 78-76, but Wingate freshman forward Sean Barnette’s (Rock Hill, SC) layup as time expired to force overtime.

In the extra period, the Blue Hose outscored the Bulldogs 19-7 with Dixon and Ballenger combining for 11 points to seal the victory for PC.

Collins led PC with a career-high 25 points to go along with 13 rebounds while Dixon added 21 points, a career-high nine assists, and seven boards. Freshman forward Drew Biggs (Alpharetta, GA) and Ballenger chipped in 12 points apiece while Herren rounded out the double figure scorers with 10 points. Wingate was led by Magnum’s 17 points off the bench while Marsh chipped 16 points and eight boards. Barnette and Idleburg each added 11 points for the Bulldogs.

Both teams return to action on Saturday, January 15 with the Blue Hose (9-5, 1-1 SAC) travelling to Jefferson City, TN to face Carson-Newman College while the Bulldogs (4-10, 0-2 SAC) will travel to Newberry, SC to face the Indians.