Greensboro College gets a little bit rocked down in Rock Hill:Men’s Basketball Falls To Division I Eagles In Exhibition Contest

Men’s Basketball Falls To Division I Eagles In Exhibition Contest
Courtesy of Wes Gullett from the Cheerwine Capital of the World, The Greensboro College Sports Information Department….

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The Greensboro College men’s basketball team fell to the Eagles of Winthrop University Tuesday, in an exhibition contest, 106-63.

The Eagles opened the game on a 9-0 run before the Pride pulled within five at 9-4. Alvin Cunningham Jr. scored the Pride’s first basket before Lorenzo Marry found the scoring column.

After Winthrop regained its nine-point advantage, Greensboro outscored the Eagles 6-2 over the next two minutes to pull back within five. Joseph Gatling scored the runs first basket, while Donavan Griffith accounted for the other four points.

However, Winthrop quickly gained a double-digit lead before taking a 54-26 lead into halftime.

The Eagles then opened the second half on an 11-0 run before Greensboro countered once again with an 8-0 run. Zedric Barnett sparked the run with his lone basket of the day, while Gatling, Marry, and Griffith combined for six points.

Over final 12 minutes, Winthrop proved to be too strong as they pulled away for the victory.

“We did not start the game aggressive enough and could not recover,” Head Coach Bryan Galuski said. “I really felt like we were stunned to start the game, and I was really disappointed in that because I thought we were up to the challenge and ready to compete at this level.”

Griffith finished with a game-high 26 points, while recording five rebounds, one block, and one assist.

“Donavan was phenomenal on the offensive side of things tonight as he took some good shots and made them,” Galuski added. “Defensively he did ok, but we need more leadership from him on the defensive side of the ball.

“What we went through tonight is not what we want and we have to keep our focus on playing hard all the time. We have to find that same energy we had this past weekend quickly as we play another game tomorrow night.”

Cunningham fell just short of double figures with nine points, while Gatling chipped in eight points. Gatling also had a team-high three assists in the contest.

The Pride men will return to the friendly confines of Hanes Gymnasium at 7 p.m. Wednesday when they welcome the Wildcats of Johnson & Wales to town. For more information on Greensboro College men’s basketball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.