HPU Men’s Hoops Shoots Past Ferrum, 106-48

• The Panthers shot a Division I school-record 70.9 percent (39-55) from the field and made 70 percent (7-10) of their 3-point attempts
• HPU’s 27 assists and 106 points were the most by a High Point team in close to seven years
• Sophomore guard Anthony Lindauer led HPU with a career-high 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting (3-3 3pt FG)

HIGH POINT, N.C. – On the strength of a school-record shooting performance, the High Point University men’s basketball team (7-3) raced past visiting Ferrum 106-48 on Wednesday evening inside the Millis Center.

The Panthers shot a Division I school record 70.9 percent (39-55) from the field, including a 7-of-10 mark from 3-point territory. HPU distributed a season-high 27 assists on its 39 made field goals and moved the ball well as a unit, as nine Panthers dished out at least two dimes. The 27 helpers were the most by an HPU team since the 2007-08 season and the 106 points marked the highest output by the Panthers in close to seven years.

“We tried to go inside to start the game and we did that,” head coach Scott Cherry said. “That opened up the perimeter for us. Our guys have been getting in the gym and getting extra shots up and that effort paid off. Every single guy that came on the floor helped in some sort of way and that’s huge for our team.”

HPU received solid efforts across the board, including a career-best 19 points on 5-of-6 shooting from sophomore guard Anthony Lindauer. The Quad Cities native made all three of his 3-point attempts and went a perfect 6-of-6 from the line.

Lindauer was one of five Panthers in double figures and one of three HPU players to hit a career high in scoring. Freshman K.J. James notched a personal-best 13 points, six rebounds and three steals in 16 minutes of work, while junior Adam Weary added 12 points (5-6 FG) and a game-high five assists.

Senior forward Quincy Drye chipped in a career-best 10 points (3-4 FG) in 19 minutes of action, shattering his previous personal best of two points. Senior Devante Wallace added 12 points (5-7 FG) and grabbed three rebounds in 17 minutes.

Lindauer, James and Drye helped HPU hold an extraordinary +62 (73-11) edge in bench scoring on the night. The Panthers also were +36 (58-22) in points in the paint and held a 32-0 edge in points off turnovers.

HPU forced 22 Ferrum turnovers and made 16 steals on the night. The 16 thefts were the most by an HPU team since a 17-steal effort versus Johnson & Wales on Dec. 2, 2012.

The Panthers led 10-8 six minutes into the game before the Purple & White used a 15-3 run to move ahead by 14 (25-11) with 9:26 to play in the first half. HPU extended the lead to 20 (39-19) on a 3-pointer from junior forward Lorenzo Cugini with 2:49 to play in the half and the Panthers took a 25-point advantage (47-22) into the break. The Panthers closed the first half on a 37-14 run.

High Point scored 10 of the first 11 points of the second half to move ahead by 34 (57-23) and pushed it to 41 (83-42) on a dunk by James as part of a 23-2 run by HPU. The Panthers closed the game well and took their largest lead of the game as time expired (106-48).

The Panthers’ seven non-conference wins are the most by an HPU team since the Purple & White posted nine non-league victories in 2007-08.

HPU wraps up the pre-Christmas portion of its schedule with a trip to Harrisonburg, Va., to take on CAA foe James Madison on Saturday (Dec. 20). Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. inside the JMU Convocation Center.