Site: High Point, N.C. (Qubein Center)
Score: High Point 108, Shenandoah 59
HIGH POINT, N.C. — The Panthers had a historic regular-season debut in the Qubein Center as they beat Shenandoah 108-59. The Panthers broke the century mark for the first time since January 2, 2019 (Washington College) and ten Panthers got into the scoring column on the night. John-Michael Wright led the Panthers in scoring with 23 points and 6 assists; Wright also went 5-8 from three-point range on the day. Zack Austin also scored 20 points on the day and added 9 rebounds and 4 blocks, finishing one rebound shy of a double-double. The Panthers finished the day with 20 assists, which was the first time they had 20+ assists since December 21, 2019 (Belmont Abbey). The Panthers also had 11 blocks on the day as a team, which is tied for 2nd all-time in program history and the first time since December 2, 2006 (Ohio).
Tubby Smith: I want to thank Shenandoah and Adam Walsh who is an alum, I’d like to thank all of our alums because we really don’t do that enough, they had as much to do with this beautiful building as anyone. We are appreciative of that. I thought our guys really came focused and ready to start the game and it carried over throughout the team and game. We were at our best and I don’t think we have shot that well in years. We have improved in that area, and that is huge. Again, we appreciate Shenandoah for coming and playing and opening up for our first regular season game. It was important to get this game under our belt because we head on the road for the next two games.
Panther Particulars
Austin continued his streak of scoring the opening basket for the Panthers this season as he hit a three-pointer to put HPU up 3-0 to start the game. The Panthers continued to fire on all cylinders and started the game on an 18-2 run, which include another three by Austin and three triples by John-Michael Wright. After a bucket by the Hornets and yet another three by Wright, Wright delivered with an incredible one-handed slam dunk that brought the house down to extend the Panther lead to 24-4.
The Panthers continued to extend the lead with tremendous outside shooting and extended the lead to 39-11 after Wright buried his fifth straight three of the first half. Austin also added in two dunks during this time. Bryson Childress also entered the game and drilled a three-point and continued his new tradition of pointing to President Qubein after his first made three of the game. Caleb Wright also scored the first two points of his Panthers career during the first half; he would finish with 4 on the day.
The Panthers continued their impressive offensive performance and extended the lead to 63-26 at the break. The Panthers shot 57.5% from the field and 55.6% from three-point range, with ten, made threes.
The Panthers started the second half on a 10-2 run to extend their lead to 73-28, a run in which Wright hit two jumpers and made two free throws. The Panthers continued to play excellent basketball and dominated the Hornets in the second half. AJ Hoynack entered the game to a rousing ovation from the student section and was able to score the first 4 points of his career as a Panther.
HPU picked up the win against Shenandoah 108-59.
UP NEXT: The Panthers travel for their first road contest of the season and their first of four Power-5 opponents the Panthers face this season. The Panthers will head to Chicago to take on Northwestern on Friday, November 12. The game will start at 8:00 pm ET and will be broadcast on BTN+ ($).