By: Bailey Clark, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.- Georgia College & State University Men's Basketball (4-9, 0-4 PBC) fell 79-64 to Georgia Southwestern State University (7-5, 1-3 PBC), Saturday afternoon. 

The Bobcat offense started well as they took the first lead of the contest on a made three point bucket by Austin Sloan (Warner Robins). GCSU and GSW traded buckets back and forth for a majority of the first half with neither team pulling ahead by more than a possession. At around the seven minute mark the Hurricanes knocked down a three point bucket to make it a two possession contest. They continued to build their lead and went into the half leading 32-27. The second half mirrored the first as both squads traded baskets to kickoff the second 20 minutes of play. Around the 17 minute mark of the second half the Bobcats continued to try and inch back to take the lead and brought the contest within four points. This was as close as the contest would be in the second half with GCSU being outscored 47-37. GSW would finish the contest with the 79-64 win. 

The Bobcat offense had three double-digit scorers in the Saturday afternoon contest. Luke Chism (Dawsonville) led the scoring effort knocking down 16 points. Chism went 5-for-11 from field goal range including a three point bucket. He also drew several fouls in the contest, shooting eight free throws and making five. Christian Koneman (Chatsworth) was the Bobcats' second leading scorer icing 14 points. Koneman came off the bench shooting 50% from field goal range and going 8-for-14 from the free throw line as he was aggressive in route to the basket. Sloan rounded out the double-digit scoring for the Bobcats with 11 points. Sloan went an impressive 4-for-6 from field goal range including a three point basket. 

There were no double-digit rebounders for the Bobcats. Chism led the rebounding, missing the double-digit mark by two. Five of Chism's rebounds came under the Hurricane basket. Koneman was the second leading rebounder for GCSU claiming six. Koneman nabbed four of his six rebounds under the opposing basket. 

The Bobcats are back in action for a road conference contest against USC Aiken. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 11 with live stats and broadcast links available at GCBobcats.com. 

As a proud recipient of the 2021 PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GC Athletics is now two-time winners of both the PBC Commissioner's Cup and the league's sportsmanship honor. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports.