MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Zyair Greene, Khalil Green, and James Nichols III combine for 49 points as Georgia College & State University fall just short of the comeback against Emmanuel (Ga.) University 82-79 in a non-conference men's basketball game Tuesday (Dec. 31) afternoon inside the Centennial Center.
 
The Bobcats dropped their final game of 2024, falling to 5-6, while the Lions climbed to 8-6. GCSU looks to start the year right, as its season continues with a Peach Belt Conference matchup against the University of South Carolina-Aiken Saturday (Jan. 4) at 3:30 p.m. inside the USCA Convocation Center in Graniteville, South Carolina.
 
GCSU's Greene and Ian Davis helped the Bobcats trade three-point shots with Emmanuel to open the contest. The entirety of the first half would continue this way until the dwindling minutes of the half, when back-to-back Jasper Gibson's three-point jump shots would send the Lions on a 13-0 run, as the Lions opened up a 31-23 lead with 5:53 remaining in the opening half.  Emmanuel extended its lead to 11 points (36-25) less than 90 seconds later, but the Bobcats reeled off seven unanswered points - a Greene three-pointer and back-to-back layups from Tony Carpio and Nichols - to put within four points (36-32) with 2:55 left.
 
Emmanuel would maintain its lead to open the second half, beginning the second half with a 14-6 run to open up a 52-40 lead on a Kendall Latney layup with 16:02 remaining. However, the Bobcats were not finished, as a 15-4 run would help them bounce back against the Lions, placing them within two points (66-64) after a Nichols tipin with 6:17 left.

The Lions pushed their lead back to eight (75-67) after a Devin Story three-point field goal with 3:26 to go. Again the Bobcats trimmed the deficit down to a one-possession game (82-79) after Green hit a three-pointer and two free throws with seconds left.

The Bobcats forced Emmanuel into a turnover - one of 19 by the Lions - with 2.1 seconds to play. GCSU had one final chance to send the game into overtime, but Greene's three-pointer from the top of the key bounced off the rim as the horn sounded.
 
Greene finished with 18 point and eight rebounds to lead the Bobcats, while Green added a career-high 16 points. Nichols, who was 7-of-11 from the floor, tallied 15 points and had four steals. Ian Davis added nine points, while Carpio had eight points and five rebounds. Mason Etter added six rebounds and four assists.

Both teams hit 14 three-pointers apiece, while Georgia College held a 33-28 edge on the glass. 


 
About GCSU Athletics 
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. 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 or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.  Read Full Article