Thursday, December 8, 2005
BLUE HOSE MEN’S & WOMEN’S BASKETBALL OFF TO BEST START IN THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
CLINTON, S.C. — The Presbyterian College men’s and women’s basketball teams are off to a combined record of 16-2 this season which is the best combined record of all state colleges that sponsor men’s and women’s basketball programs. The teams have a combined winning percentage of 88.9% so far this season.
The Blue Hose men’s team, under the direction of 17th-year head coach Gregg Nibert, are off to a 9-1 start and have won nine straight since a 89-75 setback to No. 13 University of Nebraska-Omaha back on November 11 in the opening game of the 2005 Disney Tip-Off Classic. During PC’s current nine-game win streak, the Blue Hose are allowing 63.9 ppg and out-rebounding to opposition by +6.3 boards per game. Senior forward Tray Ballenger (Wellford, S.C.) leads the team in scoring at 12.0 ppg while shooting 49.5% from the floor and adding 4.5 boards per game. Offensively, the Blue Hose have six players averaging 9.0 ppg and 10 players averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. The men’s program is off to its best start since the 1992-93 season.
The Lady Blue Hose team, under the direction of 2nd-year head coach Jessica Vanco, have compiled a 7-1 mark to open the season and are riding a four-game win streak entering this week’s final exams. PC’s seven wins this season equals the win total from last season (7-21). PC’s only setback was a 88-86 overtime loss at home to USC Upstate on November 23rd. The Lady Blue Hose are allowing 60.0 ppg and are out-rebounding their opponents by +9.0 boards per game. PC is led by the play of senior forward Rebecca Wessinger (Laurens, S.C.) who leads the team in scoring at 17.3 ppg, while shooting 52.1% from the floor, 40.0% from three-point range, and 69.6% from the line. Offensively, the Blue Hose have six players averaging 7.0 ppg and eight players averaging at least 10.0 minutes per game. PC is off to their best start since the 2001-02 season.
Below is the list of South Carolina colleges in their basketball program’s combined record as of December 7, 2005:
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2005-06 S.C. STATE COLLEGE BASKETBALL RECORDS |
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| School | Men’s Rcd | Women’s Rcd | Combined Rcd | Winning % |
| Presbyterian College | 9-1 | 7-1 | 16-2 | .889 |
| USC Upstate | 5-0 | 3-3 | 8-3 | .727 |
| Voorhees College | 7-3 | 8-3 | 15-6 | .714 |
| Benedict College | 2-3 | 4-1 | 6-4 | .600 |
| Clemson University | 7-0 | 2-6 | 9-6 | .600 |
| S. Wesleyan University | 5-2 | 4-4 | 9-6 | .600 |
| University of South Carolina | 5-2 | 2-3 | 7-5 | .583 |
| Wofford College | 3-5 | 4-1 | 7-5 | .583 |
| Francis Marion University | 5-3 | 3-3 | 8-6 | .571 |
| College of Charleston | 2-2 | 3-2 | 5-4 | .556 |
| Newberry College | 4-3 | 3-3 | 7-6 | .538 |
| Furman University | 3-3 | 3-3 | 6-6 | .500 |
| Coastal Carolina University | 1-3 | 3-1 | 4-4 | .500 |
| SC State University | 2-4 | 3-2 | 5-6 | .454 |
| Winthrop University | 4-1 | 1-5 | 5-6 | .454 |
| Charleston Strn. University | 4-2 | 1-5 | 5-7 | .417 |
| N. Greenville University | 1-5 | 4-2 | 5-7 | .417 |
| Limestone College | 2-3 | 2-4 | 4-7 | .364 |
| Coker College | 2-4 | 2-4 | 4-8 | .333 |
| Anderson College | 1-5 | 2-2 | 3-7 | .300 |
| Erskine College | 1-4 | 2-3 | 3-7 | .300 |
| Lander University | 1-6 | 3-4 | 4-10 | .286 |
| Morris College | 1-7 | 2-6 | 3-13 | .188 |
Both of PC’s basketball teams are taking the week off to conduct final exams, but will return to action on Wednesday, December 14 by hosting a non-conference double-header. The women’s team will host instate rival North Greenville University at 6:00 pm, while the men’s squad will host USC Upstate at 8:00 pm.