(GREENSBORO, N.C.) — Despite leading at halftime, the Greensboro College men’s basketball team dropped a key USA South Conference game to Ferrum, 76-70 on Saturday. The Pride failed to take advantage of a golden opportunity to distance themselves from the rest of the conference and simetaneously stay within reach of Christopher Newport at the top of the standings.
Although Greensboro scored on their first possesion to open the game, the visiting Panthers quickly went on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes to lead 12-2 with 15:53 remaining in the first half.
Ferrum built a game high 12-point lead minutes later after a Donte Thomas long range effort; however, Greensboro played well for the remainder of the half and built up a 34-33 halftime lead behind a 28-15 run.
The second half saw 11 lead changes across the twenty minute period. Throughout the half, Greensboro had no answer to dual-sport standout Marcus Mayo. Mayo scored 13 points in the second half on his way to leading all scorers with 25. Mayo was 9-12 from the free throw with many coming in the dying minutes of the contest.
Greensboro took the lead 50-48 with 7:47 remaining in the game on a Luqman Tijanifree throw. Tijani ended with a team high 19 points, but missed the second free throw to start the damaging run from the Panthers.
Seconds later, Mayo made a layup to lead the Panthers on 12-0 run culminating on a Maleek Myers jump shot. Andre Porter put a halt to the run with a pair of free throws, but The Pride never trailed by less than four again.
Donald Anderson and TJ Holman joined Tijani in double figures with 13 and 11 respectfully. Tijani led the way on the glass with eight boards.
Greensboro returns to action on Wednseday night against ODAC foe Emory and Henry.