Pride Men’s Basketball Advance To Semis With Victory Over Top Seeded Maryville

MARYVILLE, TN—The Greensboro College Pride men’s basketball team upset host Maryville College on Thursday evening by a 91-83 score. The Pride entered the USA South tournament as the #8 overall seed, and the Scots were the #1 overall seed. Prior to the game, the USA South Conference recognized the USA South All-Conference teams which included senior Damian Dixon and conference rookie of the year Devan Gregory.

Greensboro scored the first basket of the game to take an early 2-0 lead, but Maryville was able to quickly pull out to a five point lead at 7-2. The Scots pulled out to their largest lead of the game at 14-8 with just over 15 minutes to play in the half. However, Greensboro was able to use a 9-4 to cut the deficit to a single point at 18-17 following a Will Griffin three point play. The Scots would try to pull away once again, but Greensboro was able to hang close tying the game for the second time at 27-27 with 5:05 until intermission. Once the Pride came back to tie the game, they were able to close out the half with a 7-2 run to take a 39-35 lead into the break. Will Griffin got the run started with a pair of free throws, and Brandon Pascucci was able to connect from long range just before the break.

To open the second half of play, Greensboro was able to continue the momentum they established at the end of the first period pulling out to a nine point lead at 48-39. During the opening run of the half, Devan Gregory scored the first seven points for the Pride, while a Damian Dixon jumped brought the score to the nine point advantage. Greensboro maintained the lead for the next five minutes of play until the Scot were able to retake the lead briefly at 62-60 with 10:41 left in regulation. The Pride was able to regain the lead once again at 70-69, and was able to match their largest lead at 76-69. After Greensboro regained the lead, the Scot would get no closer than three as the Pride was able to pull out with the win at 91-83.

Greensboro College had three players to score in double figures in the game. USA South rookie of the year Devan Gregory led all scorers in the game with 22 points to go along with five rebounds and two assists. Will Griffin tallied 17 points, while Pride senior Damian Dixon added 14.

The Pride was able to out rebound the Scots on the night 36-30 with 16 of the rebounds coming on the offensive end of the floor. Greensboro College scored 18 second chance points on the night, and was able to convert the Scots miscues into 23 points.

With the win, Greensboro moves to 12-14 on the season heading into the USA South Tournament semi-final match-up tomorrow night. The Pride will take on the # 4 seed LaGrange Panthers in the second match-up of the day. These two teams met earlier in the season, with LaGrange topping the Pride 86-76 in Hanes Gymnasium. The tip of the game tomorrow night is set for 7:00 pm in Maryville, TN.