Thursday, December 1, 2005
BALLENGER & BIGGS LEAD BLUE HOSE TO 67-55 VICTORY OVER FLYING FLEET
DUE WEST, S. C. — Presbyterian College’s senior Tray Ballenger and sophomore Drew Biggs each tallied 16 points to lead the Blue Hose to a 67-55 victory over Erskine College in men’s basketball action Wednesday night at Belk Arena.
Ballenger, a native of Wellford, S.C., hit six-of-11 field goal attempts on the night to go along with three assists while Biggs scored 14 of his 16 points after intermission to spark the Blue Hose comeback. Biggs, a native of Alpharetta, Ga., shot five-of-11 from the floor including three-of-seven from beyond the arc to go along with three boards.
With the victory, the Blue Hose improve to 8-1 on the season and extend their win streak to eight in a row. The Flying Fleet dropped to 0-4 to start the season.
Erskine took command early in the game and held a 26-23 lead at intermission thanks in part to holding the Blue Hose to 32.0% from the floor in the first half. The Flying Fleet were led by junior forward Craig Williams (Paris, KY) who led all scorers with 12 points on five-of-eight shooting from the field. Ballenger countered for the Blue Hose with 10 points.
In the second half, the Flying Fleet were able to hold the lead until the 13:55 mark when PC’s senior center Johann Collins (Raleigh, N.C.) hit a pair of free throws to give the Blue Hose a 38-37 lead. After the Flying Fleet retook the lead minutes later, Biggs gave PC back the lead for good at 45-43 with 7:33 remaining. The Blue Hose finished the game on a 22-12 run to seal the victory. PC shot 51.9% from the field in the second half while holding Erskine to only 29 points after intermission.
Williams led the Flying Fleet with a game-high 24 points and added eight boards before fouling out. Collins joined Ballenger and Biggs with 11 points and seven boards for the Blue Hose.