MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University knocked down five free throws over the final 41 seconds as the Bobcats held off the University of South Carolina-Aiken 73-70 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Saturday (Feb. 1) evening inside the Centennial Center.
The Bobcats improved to 7-13 overall and to 2-8 in the PBC, while the Pacers fell to 13-6 and 6-3. GCSU looks to manufacture a winning streak when they take on the University of North Georgia Wednesday (Feb. 5) at 7:30 p.m. in Dahlonega, Georgia.
The Bobcats started their night strong, opening the contest with an 11-0 run, including a three-pointer by Khalil Green and two from Zyair Greene, with Mason Etter making a three-pointer of his own after the Pacers put their first points on the board. GCSU would continue to extend its lead over USC Aiken, reaching a 16-point lead (25-9) nover the Pacers when Tony Carpio was able to break free for a poster dunk with just over 11 minutes. The Bobcats lead management would sit where it was at up until the final minutes of the first half, when a 10-3 Pacer run would bring their deficit down to four (39-35) at the half.
USC Aiken would pick up right where they left off with Simeon German and Jalen McCoy teaming up for six consecutive points to give the Pacers their first lead of the night at 41-39. However, this lead would quickly evaporate as Aidan Kudlas and Ian Davis would pocket consecutive three-pointers to bring the Bobcats within one, before Carpio would bank a layup to get the lead right back. Both teams would keep things close, trading leads multiple times throughout the half. With the game tied at 63, the Bobcats took the lead for good at 65-63 on two Etter free throws. GCSU scored its final 10 points from the charity stripe to thwart a Pacer rally.
Greene would lead the Bobcats in points with 15, followed by Davis (14), who was 4-of-5 from the three-point line, and James Nichols III (12). Carpio would lead in rebounds with eight. Greene and Etter would lead the assist category with four apiece.
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
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