Greensboro College Men’s Basketball Falls in USA South Title Game Despite Second Half Comeback

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.) — Despite a furious second half rally, The Pride men’s basketball team came up short in its effort for a USA South Tournament Championship on Saturday against Christopher Newport. Greensboro rallied from a 20-point second half deficit to pull within two points late, but fell in the end 81-74.

With 11:16 to go in the game, the Captains held a comfortable lead of 59-39. The Pride turned up the intensity and closed the gap to 63-57 with an 18-4 run. After Christopher Newport extended the margin to 67-57, Greensboro clawed back to 69-67 with 3:37 to go.

Two Captain free throws brought the lead back to two possessions and Christopher Newport held off a feisty effort down the stretch for the win.

The Captains used a strong start to take early leads of 7-0 and 13-2 before The Pride pulled within 13-8. Christopher Newport would respond with another run to grab a commanding 33-15 advantage with 7:08 to go in the first half.

Greensboro would hang within striking distance though, going into the break trailing 39-26. The Captains would continue to push the momentum in the second half, pushing the advantage to 20 before The Pride comeback attempt.

Luqman Tijani led five Greensboro players in double figures with 19 points. Also contributing was Devonta Davis with 15, Donald Anderson with 12, and Damian Dixon and Chakiris Moss with 11 apiece.

The Pride forced 16 turnovers on the day but lost the battle of the boards by a margin of 40-30.

Honored on the All-Tournament Team for Greensboro was Dixon and Tijani. The Pride capped the 2012-13 season with an overall record of 18-9.