GC&SU MEN'S BASKETBALL SUFFERS FIRST LOSS

CLINTON, SC – The Georgia College & State University men’s basketball team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday evening in Clinton, SC, falling to the Blue Hose of Presbyterian 71-58. The strong shooting of Friday night failed to show as the Blue Hose (5-1) jumped in front of the Bobcats (6-1) early in the first half and never gave up the lead.

Presbyterian’s Grant Herren made a jumper at the 18:01 mark, putting the Blue Hose up 4-2. Apparently, that was all they needed, as they kept the lead for the rest of the game. Presbyterian went into halftime up 31-23 thanks to several five point runs in the first half. In the second half, it would be more of the same, with the Blue Hose leading by as much as 21 points. The Bobcats would make a late run, battling back from 21 points down to within seven. The drive began at the 7:38 mark and was capped with 1:14 left to play by an Aaron Clark lay-up. But, with less than a minute to play, the Blue Hose would drain nine free-throws to ice the victory.

Leading the Bobcat offense was Aaron Clark with a game-high 18 points, three boards, and an assist. Shaun Keaton had 13 points, four boards, and two dishes. Shejdie Childs added ten points, one board, and two assists. The defensive effort was led by Levert Carter with three blocks, and Keaton with three steals. Clark also had two blocks and a steal, and Childs had two steals. The Blue Hose offense was led by Sean Dixon with 15 points, two boards, and five assists. Martynas Versinskas added 13 points, nine boards, and three dishes. Defensively, Versinskas had two blocks and Pat Kiscaden had two steals.

For the game, the Bobcats shot just 35.2% (19-54) from the floor and a dismal 16.7% (2-12) from three-point range, but managed a respectable 72.0% (18-25) from the free-throw line. The Blue Hose shot 45.1% (23-51) from the floor, 37.5% (6-16) from behind the arc, and a solid 86.4% (19-22) from the stripe.

GCSU will face Presbyterian in its next match-up on Wednesday, Decemeber 13, at 7:30pm in Milledgeville.

Source: Georgia College & State University Sports Information