GC Men’s Basketball Hangs on to Beat #15 Christopher Newport

A quick start helped The Pride men’s basketball team (11-8 overall, 5-5 USA South) to a 72-69 victory at #15 nationally ranked Christopher Newport (15-3 overall, 8-2 USA South) on Saturday.

Greensboro appeared to be in complete control late in the game, holding a 70-58 lead with 4:09 to play. The Captains would turn the table in a hurry, scoring 11 straight points to pull within 70-69 with 15 seconds to go.

Luqman Tijani netted two big free throws to push The Pride advantage to 72-69 with eight seconds left. Christopher Newport had two final chances to send the game into overtime, but misfired on two three point attempts on its final possession.

The game stayed close early until Greensboro blitzed the Captains at the midway point of the first half. The run began with the game tied at 15-15 with 10:55 on the clock. After 19 unanswered points and five and a half minutes, The Pride opened up a 34-15 advantage.

Greensboro pushed the margin to 40-21 before Christopher Newport closed the half on a 5-0 spurt to leave the score at 40-26. The Captains came within 12 early in the second before The Pride extended the lead to 65-41 with 10:29 remaining.

Christopher Newport would chip away with a series of runs before The Pride closed the door on the final try in the waning seconds.

Tijani led five Greensboro players in double figures scoring with 20 points. Tracy Jester finished with 14 points, while Damian Dixon, Chakiris Moss and Devonta Davis each added 11.

The Pride shot 44.3% from teh field for the game and made good on 44.0% of their three point tries. Greensboro limited the Captains to 38.1% shooting and a 15.8% effort from three. The Pride forced 18 turnovers on the day but lost the rebounding margin 51-31.

Greensboro will hit the road on Wednesday to take on North Carolina Wesleyan. Game time is set for 7 p.m.