ROCK HILL, S.C. - Three players scored in double figures for Presbyterian College, but it was not enough as the Blue Hose fell 66-53 to the Winthrop Eagles in a Big South Conference match-up.

The Blue Hose (4-22, 2-12) were led by Chase Holmes' 13 points. Ryan Hargrave netted 11 while Khalid Mutakabbir added 10 for PC. The Eagles (14-10, 10-4) were led by Matt Morgan's 10 points. Gideon Gambleand Reggie Middleton each accounted for 10 points.

In the opening half, the Eagles grabbed a 2-0 lead right out of the gate, but Mutakabbir buried a deep three-point shot for PC. The visitors went up by two after Mutakabbir drove down the lane, drawing defenders to him, and dished it off to Jake Troyli for the easy bucket and a 5-2 advantage.

The Eagles would go ahead, but Jay Reynolds, who got the starting nod, connected on a short shot to tie the contest at seven apiece. Winthrop would embark on a 5-1 run only to see Walt Allen drain a three from the wing. However, PC could never regain the lead in the first stanza. Winthrop twice widened the margin to six only to see head coach Gregg Nibert's team come back to within a possession on each occasion.

The Blue Hose were unable to score the final 1:36 of the half while Matt Morgan recorded back-to-back lay-ups to close the half for Winthrop, making the score 30-27 at the intermission.

In the opening period, Mutakabbir paced the visitors with six points while Ryan Hargrave and Allen each came off the bench to net five apiece. Reynolds led PC with four boards at the break while Travis Smith had dished out three assists.

After the margin had increased to 10 early in the second stanza, Hargrave hit back-to-back free throws, igniting a 6-0 run by PC. Mutakabbir corralled a rebound, got it to Smith who then fed Holmes for the backdoor cut and two points. Troyli then hit a jumper to cut into the lead. However, WU came back with a 5-0 run put the margin at nine with just over 10 minutes to play.

Holmes drained a three-ball with 10:08 to go to bring the visitors within six. The Eagles were able to keep the Blue Hose at bay, pushing the margin to 10 at the under-eight minute timeout. After PC found itself down by 13 with less than five remaining, the visitors cut the lead to single digits on three occasions at eight points, but could get no closer.

For the game, PC canned 40.7 percent of its shots while Winthrop made 38.6 percent of its attempts. The biggest difference came at the foul line. The Eagles made 19-of-24 while the Blue Hose hit 10-of-12.  

The Blue Hose return home Tuesday evening for a league game against UNC Asheville. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. It is the second part of a doubleheader as the PC women's basketball team tips-off at 5 p.m. in the Templeton Center.