Pride Men Open Conference Play With Road Victory Over Cougars
Courtesy of Greensboro College SID Wes Gullett
DANVILLE, Va. – Donavan Griffith(Northeast Guilford High School) scored a season-high 24 points as the Greensboro College men’s basketball team opened USA South Athletic Conference play Wednesday with a victory over the Cougars of Averett University, 98-80.
The Pride (7-4, 1-0 USA South) came out of the gates fast in the first half and quickly established a nine-point lead after starting the game on 13-4 run. Hamilton Hawkins paced the run with five points, while Dominic Fumbanks added four points.
After the Cougars pulled within 22-17 with 10:25 showing on the clock, Greensboro used an 11-2 run to establish its largest lead of the half at 32-19. Donavan Griffith got the run started the run with his second basket of the day before Cornelius Johnson scored the final three points of the spurt.
Averett then came storming back to take a 41-39 lead, but the Pride closed the half on a 9-4 run gaining a 48-45 halftime lead.
The Cougars were able to regain the lead in the early parts of the second half, but the Pride was able to regain its edge at 60-57 following a 7-0 run. Griffith had five points during the run, and Fumbanks picked in the final two points.
Greensboro was then able to regain a double digit lead at 77-67 with eight minutes left before securing the victory with a 10-4 run over the final four minutes.
“We are a team of runs,” Head Coach Bryan Galuski said. “We have to be more consistent for a full 40 minutes and not let our emotions get to us.
“Overall I am really happy to start the conference season with a very tough road win. Hopefully we can build on this momentum as we travel to another tough environment on Saturday.”
Darus Maddox, who went 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, finished with 14 points, while Gatling also joined the double digit club with 13 points. Christopher Corbin accounted for nine points. Gatling hauled in a team-high eight rebounds, while Lorenzo Marry, Matteo Baggio, and Griffith each had seven boards.
The Pride men will return to USA South Athletic Conference play at 2 p.m. Saturday when they travel to take on the Pacers of William Peace University. For more information on Greensboro College men’s basketball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.