GC Pride Men’s Basketball Opens Season With Exhibition Loss To N.C.A&T

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro College Pride men’s basketball team opened their 2014-2015 slate on Friday evening. The Pride traveled down to the other end of Market Street to take on the Aggies of North Carolina A&T in an exhibition contest. Greensboro College held strong in opening frame before falling by a 91-61 margin.

The Pride came out strong to open the contest, and was able to take their first lead at 7-4 following a Devan Gregory three pointer. After Greensboro took the lead, the Aggies then came storming back with two straight baskets taking an 8-7 lead. On the very next possession the Pride was able to take their final lead of the night at 10-8 when Gregory connected from distance again with 14:11 showing on the first half clock.

As the time ticked away in the opening frame, A&T was able to build a 23-12 lead following an 11-0 run. Following the Aggies run, Greensboro College responded with a 5-0 run of their own cutting the deficit to six at 23-17 with 6:30 remaining until intermission. Pride newcomer Parris Scales got the run started with a put back off his own miss before Hamilton Hawkins capped the run off with an old fashion three point play.

Over the course of the last six minutes of the first half, A&T was able to pull away from Greensboro taking a 34-25 lead into the break.

After intermission period, the Aggies were able to keep the momentum on their side coming away with the 91-61 victory.

“Even though the score did not reflect in our favor tonight we really did some great things,” Pride Head Coach Bryan Galuski said. “We competed from start to finish. We did get down on ourselves a little bit in the second half, but we had a lot of positives in things such as forcing eighteen turnovers.”

Greensboro College struggled from the field throughout the game converting on only twenty-nine percent (22-74) of their shots. Simeon Howard led the way for the Pride with 15 points, while Devan Gregory was the only other Greensboro player in double figures with 14.

The Pride was edged in the rebound category 53-38, but held a 23-20 advantage in boards on the offensive end of the court. Parris Scales recorded all of his team leading eight rebounds on the offensive end.

“Playing a game like this to open our season is a really great experience for our team,” Galuski said. “We were able to find some of the areas that we need to improve on going into the regular season, but overall it was a good effort.”

Greensboro College will get their regular season underway on Sunday afternoon on Mayo C. Harlow Memorial Court in Hanes Gymnasium. The Pride will welcome Warren Wilson to town for a 2:00 P.M. tip. Live stats as well as a live video feed of the game can be found on the Greensboro College Athletics website at www.greensborocollegesports.com.