The Presbyterian College men's basketball team shot over 50% in the second half to cut the South Carolina State lead to single digits on several occasions but the Bulldogs held on down the stretch to take the 80-68 win over the Blue Hose in action Saturday afternoon in Orangeburg, S.C. Chris Martin led PC with a career-high 19 points, with freshman Owen McCormack pulling down a career-best 10 rebounds.
 
Scoring the Game
A back and forth battle early in the first half, PC lead on several occasions, including by three, 10-7, at 12:54 off a Chris Martin Jumper.  The Bulldogs outscored the Blue Hose 8-3 in a three-minute span to take a 19-13 lead, 9:37 to go before intermission.  PC chipped away at the lead over the next several minutes, trimming it to two, 22-24, 5:11 on the clock.  SC State used a 5-0 run to make it a seven-point game at 3:15 with two free throws by Cory Hightower with under a minute to play helping the Blue Hose head to the locker room trailing by only six, 29-35.
 
Just five minutes into the second half Isler's jumper helped the Blue cut the home team lead to one, 44-45.  SCSU responded with an 11-1 run to build a 56-46 lead. Trailing by 10, with nine-and-a-half to go in the game, the Blue Hose, helped by five from Ben Drake, took a one-point lead, 59-58, 6:53 on the clock with a 13-2 run.  That would be the final PC lead with the Bulldogs responding with five unanswered to jump back ahead, 63-59, just over five remaining.  A Martin jumper at 2:57 tied the game at 67-67, but an Ian Kinard three-pointer broke the deadlock.  South Carolina State hit eight-of-eight from the free throw line the final three minutes to keep PC at bay and come away with the 80-68 win.
 
Players of the Game
Chris Martin paced the Blue Hose with 19 points, followed by Michael Isler with a career-high 16.  Owen McCormack pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds as well.  Two S.C. State players scored 20 points with Damani Applewhite and Tashambe Riley leading the way.  Applewhite led in rebounds as well with eight.
 
Stats of the Game
PC shot 42.9% for the game after hitting 15-of-28 in the second half for 53.6%.  S.C. State shot 44.4% for the game.  The Bulldogs hit six three-pointers, compared to three for PC, with the Blue Hose leading in rebounds, 38-37.  PC connected on 17 free throws, to SCSU's 18 on the afternoon.
 
Notables
Owen McCormack pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds.
Michael Isler scored a career-high 16 points and was a career-best four-of-five from the charity stripe.
Chris Martin posted a career-best 19 points and recorded a career-high six field goals and seven free throws.
 
For the Record
PC drops to 2-7 overall, while South Carolina State improves to 3-5
 
Up Next
The Blue Hose are on the road Dec. 10, with a 3 p.m., contest at St. Francis Brooklyn.