MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. | Georgia College & State University's rally fell short against Flagler College 79-76 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Saturday (Feb. 8) afternoon at the Centennial Center.
The Bobcats fell to 8-14 overall and to 3-9 in the PBC, while the Saints improved to 12-8 and 6-5. GCSU looks to bounce back with a home game against the University of South Carolina-Beaufort Wednesday (Feb. 8) at 7:30 p.m.
Both teams started slow, as neither team had much of a lead. However, the Saints would attempt to pull away via the hands of Trevur Smalls, who went perfect at the free throw line and then made a three-pointer to put Flagler up by eight (18-10) with just under 12 minutes remaining. The Bobcats battled back swiftly, tying and taking the lead off free throws by Aidan Kudlas and Dallas Clayton, with Mason Etter adding on a three-pointer seconds later. Nevertheless, the Saints erased that lead quickly, and both teams ended up knotted at 36 after the first half.
The Saints pulled away midway through the second half and took a 10-point lead (67-57) with 5:34 to play. Zyair Greene, who scored all of his 24 points in the second half, put the team on his back in the final 30 seconds, knocking in a layup and three perfect free throws to decrease the deficit to two at 75-73. An Ian Davis three-pointer with 10 seconds left got the Bobcats 77-76. After Flagler hit two free throw to go up three, the Bobcats had once last chance to send the game into overtime, but both attempts to hit a three-pointer fell short.
Greene's 24 points led the Bobcats, followed by Clayton (14), Kudlas (12), and James Nichols III (9). Clayton registered a double-double on the night, with a career-high 16 rebounds. Clayton also led the Bobcats in assists with three.
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.
