Pride Men Stay Perfect In USA South Play With Victory Over Maryville
Courtesy of Wes Gullett, Greensboro College SID
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Joseph Gatling and Lorenzo Marry each scored 17 points Friday as the Greensboro College men’s basketball team topped Maryville College, 81-77.
After the two teams traded baskets over the first four minutes, Greensboro (8-4, 2-0 USA South) gained a 14-10 edge following a 6-2 run. Marry scored the first two baskets of the run before Darus Maddox capped it off with a pair of free throws.
Maryville (11-2, 2-1 USA South) was then able to battle back to take a 21-20 lead before the Pride ran off an 8-0 run to take a 28-21. Matteo Baggio and Gatling fueled the spurt with a three-pointer each, while Marry added the remaining points.
The Scots were once again able to regain a brief lead at 38-37, but Greensboro took a 51-43 lead into halftime after closing out the half on a 14-5 run. Maddox, Baggio, Demetrius Tilley, Donavan Griffith, Marry, and Gatling each had one basket.
The Pride then added on to their advantage in the opening seconds of the second half before Maryville connected on three straight three-pointers to tie the game at 52.
Maryville used their momentum for the next four minutes, establishing their largest lead of the game at 75-71, before Greensboro closed the game on a 10-2 run to secure the four-point victory.
Gatling came up big in the final run as he gave the Pride a one-point lead with a three-pointer before sealing the game with a free-throw with 13-seconds remaining.
“I just stayed really aggressive down the stretch as was able to make some shots to help my team,” Gatling said. “I started out the year slow but the coaching staff has stayed on me to play up to my potential, while getting better each and every day.
“I am really happy and proud for my teammates as we played hard and stayed focus, while playing as a team.”
Griffith (14) and Maddox (13) joined the Pride scoring leaders in double figures, while Marry pulled down a game-high nine rebounds. Christopher Corbin, Hamilton Hawkins, Gatling, Griffith, Marry, Tilley, and Baggio combined for 14 assists on the night.
“The game was all about runs and I am proud of how our guys responded down the stretch,” Head Coach Bryan Galuski said. “I am most proud of the emotions and energy that every player that stepped on the court tonight brought. I am also proud that are guys continue to come together and play team basketball.”
The Pride men will return to action at 4 p.m. Saturday when they host the Scots of Covenant College in another USA South Athletic Conference matchup. For more information on Greensboro College men’s basketball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.