JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Presbyterian Blue Hose (15-18) had three double-figure scorers, but the Blue Hose battled the Winthrop Eagles (23-10) until the final buzzer before falling, 73-71, in the Big South Tournament semifinals on Saturday afternoon.

Triston Wilson led all scorers with 26 points while dishing out five assists and grabbing five rebounds. Josh Pickett connected on four three-point field goals for 12 points. Jonah Pierce scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

The Blue Hose finished the game with 36 points in the paint.

HOW IT HAPPENED
FIRST HALF – Winthrop scored the game's first seven points. Carl Parrish got the Blue Hose on the board with a jumper in the lane. The Eagles increased their lead to 16-2 with six minutes gone in the game.  The Blue Hose scored four points behind two free throws from Parrish and a dunk by Chidi Chiakwelu. Winthrop maintained a double-figure lead until with three minutes left in the half, the Blue Hose closed out the half on a 7-0 scoring run, cutting Winthrop's lead to 32-25 at the half. Jaylen Peterson, Parrish, and Pierce scored during the run for the Blue Hose.

SECOND HALF – Peterson scored the first two points of the second half, getting the Blue Hose within five, 32-27. Winthrop scored the next three points to take a 35-27 lead. Presbyterian went on a 9-1 run, tying the score at 36 after a jump shot in the lane by Parrish with 14:27 on the clock. Wilson would give PC a 39-38 lead after connecting on a three from the wing. Winthrop would regain the lead. The score was tied a couple of times, and Winthrop took a two-point lead a couple of times. With 11:28 on the clock, Iverson King connected on a floater in the lane to take a 46-44 lead. After a three from Pickett, the Blue Hose had increased their lead to 53-48 with 9:27 on the clock. Winthrop would regain the lead and eventually push their lead to 71-63 with 2:25 on the clock. With 1:43 on the clock, Winthrop held a 72-64 lead. Wilson scored seven straight points, cutting Winthrop's lead to 72-71 with 18 seconds on the clock. Winthrop made one free throw with seven seconds on the clock to take a 73-71 lead. Presbyterian was not able to convert on a shot at the buzzer.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Wilson recorded his fourth 20-point scoring game of the season with his 26 points.
• Pickett recorded his 8^th double-figure scoring game of the season with his 12 points.
• Pierce posted his 29^th double-figure scoring game of the season with 10 points.