BLUFFTON, S.C. | Hudson Norton scored 18 points as the University of South Carolina-Beaufort held off Georgia College & State University 97-90 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Wednesday (Jan. 15) evening at The Cove.

The Sand Sharks improved 12-3 overall and to 4-1 in th PBC, while the Bobcats dropped to 5-10 and 0-5. GCSU returns to the Centennial Center Saturday (Jan. 18) with a 3:30 p.m. league encounter with Lander University.

In a game that saw six lead changes and three ties, USC Beaufort led 46-39 at the half. GCSU trimmed the deficit to two points (46-44) on a Zyair Greene three-pointer 48 seconds into the second half. However, the Sand Sharks reeled off a 20-7 run over the next five minutes to open up their largest lead - 15 points (66-51) - after a Norton three-pointer.

GCSU battled and gradually clawed back, closing the margin down to two points (86-84) after an Oscar Lynch three-pointer with 3:02 to go. However, the Sand Sharks thwarted the Bobcat rally by scoring the next seven points over the next 74 seconds to take a 93-84 lead after a Kenny Gains dunk.

Greene was one of four GCSU players in double figures as he connected on six three-pointers for 27 points. James Nichols III went 6-of-10 from the floor as he added 18 points. Khalil Green (17) and Aidan Kudlas (12) also finished in double figures. Nichols and Green also set career highs for points. Nichols and Lynch led the Bobcats with eight rebounds apiece as GCSU outrebounded the Sand Sharks 46-31. 

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