Al'Lonzo Coleman pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds and Pierre Miller added 13 points, including five free throws in the last minute and a half, to lead the Presbyterian College men's basketball team to the thrilling 48-45 win over Winthrop in action tonight in Rock Hill, S.C.
The Blue Hose, who improve to 12-14 overall and 6-10 in the league, earn their first win in Rock Hill since a 64-57 decision Jan. 6, 1986. Winthrop falls to 11-17, 8-9.
The Blue Hose took its largest lead of the game, 29-20, with 17:55 remaining in the second half, before three straight by Joab Middleton brought the margin to seven, 29-23 with 16:42 left. It was part of a 5-0 run that cut the score to four again, 29-25, with 15:33 to go. Two free throws by Khalid Mutakabbir at 12:52 ended the drought, but Winthrop responded with five more as part of a 10-2 run, highlighted by eight by Middleton, to cut the PC lead to one 31-30, with 10:49 left in the game.
Jerome added to the run with a basket at 9:56 to give the Eagles their first lead of the game, 32-31. It was short-lived as Miller hit a three at 9:21 to give PC the lead back, 34-32. Winthrop answered with a basket at the 8:30 mark to tie the game at 34-34.
Josh Johnson snapped the tie with a three-pointer at 6:50 and PC took a 37-34 lead.
The Eagles went on an 11-4 run the next five minutes and took a four-point, 45-41 lead with 1:49 left, but fouled Miller as he attempted a three-pointer at 1:28. He hit all three to cut the deficit to one. After Winthrop missed its next attempt, PC got the rebound and with 24 seconds left Coleman attempted a shot under the basket, which was blocked. He pulled down his own rebound and hit the go-ahead basket o give PC the 46-45 lead with 22 ticks on the clock.
Winthrop ran the length of the court but turned the ball over before making a shot, giving PC the ball back. Miller was immediately fouled on the inbound pass and sank both to take the Blue Hose up 48-45, with just seven seconds left. The Eagles had a chance at the end to tie the game with a three-pointer but it hit the front end and PC took the three-point win.
PC opened the first half with a 12-4 run, highlighted by back-to-back three-pointers by the Blue Hose, before both teams traded baskets to make it 14-6 in favor of PC with 12:19 to go before intermission.
Winthrop cut the margin to 14-10 before PC scored four unanswered to make it 18-10 before the Eagles answered with a basket by Gamble at 7:43 to cut it back down to six, 18-12. Winthrop capitalized on a PC turnover to cut it even further, 18-14, at 5:36. Truss regained PC's six-point advantage quickly with a jumper at 4:06 to make it 20-14.
A defensive battle the entire first half, it was evident the final four minutes as only four points were scored down the stretch, with PC heading into the locker room leading 22-16.
PC shot 43.5 percent in the first half and held Winthrop to just 25.9 percent from the field, while also dominating on the boards, 21-14.
Following Miller and his 13 points was Coleman and Johnson with eight each. Winthrop was led by Jerome with 14 on the night. George Valentine led with six rebounds.
PC shot 34.8 percent for the game, compared to 35.1 percent for Winthrop. PC controlled the boards throughout the game and ended with the 39-31 advantage, including a 28-20 edge on the defensive end. PC was five-of-10 from beyond the three-point arc and 11-of-15 from the charity stripe, while the Eagles were 0-for-eight and five-for-eight, respectively. It was the first time this season, the Eagles were held scoreless from the three-point arc. PC had eight more turnovers, 14-6.
The Blue Hose step out of conference action to take part in the Sears BracketBusters this weekend. PC travels to Jacksonville State Saturday, Feb. 18 for an 8 p.m. The game can be heard on the radio at 860-AM WLBG with the pre-game shows starting at 7:30 p.m.
