FLORENCE, S.C. -- The Georgia Southwestern State University men's basketball team fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with an 88-74 loss at Francis Marion University on Saturday afternoon. It was GSW's first Peach Belt Conference road game of the season. The Hurricanes record dropped to 3-1 overall, while Francis Marion improved to 1-1.
How It Happened: In a game with nine lead changes, most of the back-and-forth took place in the first half. Lander grabbed its largest lead of the night, 21-15, halfway through the opening period. The Hurricanes answered with eight unanswered points to regain the lead and eventually stretched the margin to nine points before settling on a 40-35 lead at the break.
Lander worked it back to an even game midway through the second half and took its last lead of the night, 61-60, with 7:21 left on the clock. However, the following three minutes were dominated by GSW in a game-defining 14-0 run. Donte Tatum started the rally with a 3-pointer and added a 3-point play near the end of the run to help provide the cushion GSW would maintain until the final horn.
Despite being outshot from long range, 33.3 percent for GSW compared to 36.7 percent for Lander, the Hurricanes finished over 50 percent from the floor overall (28 for 54) for the second straight game. The Bearcats grabbed nine more rebounds, 40-31, and dished out eight more assists, 19-11, but the Hurricanes forced seven more turnovers, 22-15.
Who Stood Out: Kahlon Whitley led the Hurricanes with 22 points and five assists. He
Lander (2-3, 0-1 PBC) had a pair of double-doubles. Deon Berrien led the Bearcats with 16 points and 12 rebounds. DaJuan Moorer scored 10 and grabbed a dozen boards. Lander had six players score in double figures.
Up Next: The Hurricanes return to action Saturday with a 3:30 p.m. game at Francis Marion.
