Greensboro Collge Pride Men Fall To NCAA Division I Member N.C. A&T In Exhibition Action

Pride Men Fall To NCAA Division I Member N.C. A&T In Exhibition Action

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro College men’s basketball team suffered an exhibition loss to the Aggies of North Carolina A&T University Friday, 104-80.

The Aggies jumped out to a four-point lead in the first 1:30 of the game, but Greensboro used a 7-2 run to pull ahead 7-6. Joseph Gatling and Kyle Riddley scored on consecutive trips down the floor before Darus Maddox capped off the run with his first three-pointer of the evening.

Following the Greensboro run, A&T briefly regained a one-point lead before Greensboro went on an 8-4 spurt to take their largest lead of the contest at 15-12 with 14:39 to play in the half. Maddox, who had a team-high 24 points, scored the first five points of the run before Riddley hit from long range.

The two teams then traded the lead back and forth for the next six minutes before A&T went on to take their largest lead of the half at 45-30, but Greensboro pulled to within 49-37 heading into the break.

Over the first seven minutes of the second half, the Aggies pushed their lead to 26 points but the Pride did not back down.

Following a layup by the Aggies Kameron Langley, to make the score 72-46, Greensboro responded back with an 11-3 run to pull within 75-57.

Riddley once again got the run started for Greensboro before Trey Smith got things rolling from the floor with a fade away jumper from the left elbow. Over the remainder of the run, Demetrius Tilley converted on an old fashion three-point play, while Riddley capped off the spurt with a pair of free throws.

As the time ran down, Greensboro was not able to pull any closer than the 18-point margin despite showing a lot of heart, hard work, and effort.

“Our guys were really excited to play this game today,” Head Coach Bryan Galuski said. “We knew coming in that the size advantage was not going to be in our favor, but the guys did a great job battling despite being in foul trouble early.

“We came out of the gates well but we had some lapses on defense and you cannot have those playing against a NCAA Division I team. There was many positive things that we can take from tonight, while also having many teaching moments. The guys represented Greensboro College and the men’s basketball program well.”

Riddley finished with 18 points, while Smith and Keyford Langley had 10 points each. Smith also had a team-high three assists, while Maddox and Riddley led the Pride in rebounding with seven.

“We have to quickly turn the page as we have a really tough season opener at home on Wednesday,” Galuski added. “We will continue to grow as a team but I am very proud of their effort tonight.”

The Pride men will open their 2017-2018 regular season at 7 p.m. Wednesday when they host the Quakers of Guilford College. All fans are asked to bring one canned good to benefit the Greensboro Urban Ministry and will receive free admission into the contest with their donation. Tickets for the game are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students, seniors and children. Kids under the age of seven will be admitted free of charge.

For more information on Greensboro College men’s basketball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.