CLINTON, S.C.?Al'Lonzo Coleman's last second basket propelled the Presbyterian College men's basketball team to a one point victory over visiting San Jose State on Monday, Nov. 21 at the Templeton Center. The Blue Hose came away with a 47-46 victory to earn their first win of the season, and have now won thirteen consecutive regular season home games.
With five seconds left in the game and PC (1-3) down 45-46, Coleman (Charlotte, N.C./Vance) grabbed his own rebound from a missed jumper and layed it in to give the Blue Hose a one point lead with three seconds left. San Jose State (2-2) in-bounded the ball and Josh Johnson (Hendersonville, Tenn./Hendersonville) collected the rebound with one second remaining to secure the victory for PC.
Coleman recorded his second career double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Blue Hose. He was nine for eighteen in field goal shooting, and four for six from the free throw line. Pierre Miller (Warner Robbins, Ga./Warner Robbins) chipped in nine points and was three for eight from beyond the arc.
The Blue Hose trailed 19-24 at the half after a jumper by Bryan Bostic (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) with forty two seconds left cut San Jose State's lead to five points. The Spartans led by as much as 12 points with 2:41 left in the first half, but PC went on to a 7-0 run to head into the locker room only down by five points.
PC started the second half strong and six minutes into the half had cut the Spartans' lead to only one point. A layup by Bo King (Charleston, WV/Charleston Christian) put the score at 29-30 with 13:39 left in the game. Both teams were held scoreless until San Jose State hit a field goal with 10:53 remaining in the second half to put the advantage at 32-29 in favor of the Spartans.
San Jose State went on to take a seven point lead with eight minutes left in the game, but PC fought back to bring the score to 42-44 with 2:12 left after a layup by Coleman. A bucket by the Spartans put them back up by four, but Coleman sank a basket and the following free throw to bring the Blue Hose within one with thirty two seconds left at 45-46. PC collected the rebound off of a Spartan missed shot, and Coleman's basket with three seconds left put the Blue Hose ahead by one and secured the win.
PC has now won thirteen consecutive regular season home games at the Templeton Center. They have not lost at home since Jan. 10, 2007 when they fell 74-57 to former South Atlantic foe Lincoln Memorial. The victory over San Jose State is the first win for PC in the 08-09 season.
The Blue Hose return to action on Friday, Nov. 28 when they travel to Clemson, S.C. to face off against the Clemson Tigers. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and will be televised by the ACC Select (www.ACCSelect.com).
