Gipson’s Career Day Lifts Pride Men Over Huntingdon
Courtesy of Wes Gullett, Sports Information Director at Greensboro College
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Daron Gipson scored a career-high 18 points and dished out six assists as the Greensboro College men’s basketball team snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating the Hawks of Huntingdon College Sunday, 101-94.
“It felt really good to come out on top today, especially after losing a tough one yesterday,” Gipson said. “We were able to come out with a lot of intensity as a team today and it really played into our favor as the game went on.
“Our offense was really clicking today and we did a great job of moving the basketball around.”
Huntingdon quickly established a 19-11 lead just five minutes into the game before the Greensboro offense was able to battle back to take a 32-26 lead, following a 21-7 run that lasted six minutes. Keyford Langley hit two three-pointers during the run, while Gipson hit two of his six three-pointers on the night. Cornelius Johnson also added five points.
Following the Pride run, the Hawks were able to pull back to within three points on two separate occasions before Greensboro established their largest lead of the half at 44-36, following a 5-0 run by Darus Maddox, before taking a 51-55 lead into the break.
Greensboro then opened the first two minutes of the second half on a 7-0 run, aided by a Joseph Gatling three-pointer and two layups by Carmoni Marks, to extend their lead to 62-51.
Over the next 10 minutes of action, the Pride was able to further their advantage to 18 points with 8:15 showing on the clock, but Huntingdon did not go away.
With the Pride holding on to a 17-point advantage, the Hawks mounted an 11-2 run of their own to make the score 91-83, but the Pride was able weather the storm and hold on for the seven-point victory.
“It was a total team effort tonight and I am really proud of the guys,” Head Coach Bryan Galuski said. “Our team really stepped up big.
“We did a good job of spreading their zone defense out and were able to get into the lane and make some big baskets. If we are going to win games down the stretch, we are going to have to continue to do that, while also being physical on the defensive end of the floor and on the glass.
Johnson (17), Maddox (10), Joseph Gatling (14), Langley(Southwest Guilford HS) (15) and Carmoni Marks(Western Guilford HS) (16) also joined Gipson in double figures scoring. The Pride shot 53 percent (32-61) from the field on the day, including 46 percent from long-range (13-28), while connecting on 77 percent (24-31) of their chances from the free-throw stripe.
The Pride will return to action at 4 p.m. Saturday when they travel to Averett University. For more information on Greensboro College men’s basketball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.