BLUFFTON, S.C. – Georgia Southwestern delivered one of its most complete offensive performances of the season Saturday afternoon, knocking off USC Beaufort 91-84 in a pivotal Peach Belt Conference matchup at The Cove.
Behind a career-high 24 points from
Deonte Williams and a second 20-point effort from
Amir Reaves, the Hurricanes earned their 16th win of the season — and handed the Sand Sharks just their third home loss of the year.
The defeat dropped USCB out of second place in the Peach Belt standings, while GSW improved to 9-7 in league play, just a game out of fourth place.
Williams Breaks Through
Williams was dominant from the opening tip.
The senior forward finished 10-of-15 from the floor, added seven rebounds, and scored 14 of his 24 points in the second half. His presence inside anchored a 48-point effort in the paint for the Hurricanes.
It marked a career high for Williams and helped produce the second game this season in which two Hurricanes scored 20 or more points.
Reaves joined him with 20 points, going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free-throw line and adding four steals. He scored repeatedly in key late-game moments to keep USCB from closing the gap.
JR Jacobs added 18 points, including 3-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc and 7-of-10 at the free-throw line.
Efficient and Aggressive
Georgia Southwestern's offense operated with precision.
The Hurricanes shot 50 percent from three-point range (7-of-14), matching their season high from beyond the arc. They also converted 22 free throws, their most in a game this season.
While USCB shot a slightly higher overall field goal percentage (51.6%), the difference came at the foul line and in transition. The Sand Sharks were just 8-of-19 from the stripe (42.1 percent), while GSW finished at 78.6 percent.
The Hurricanes also turned defense into offense, recording 12 steals — their second-most in a game this season — and scoring 26 points off turnovers.
Back-and-Forth Battle
The contest featured seven lead changes and three ties, with neither side gaining full control early.
After trailing late in the first half, Jacobs buried a three-pointer with one second remaining to send GSW into halftime with a 44-42 lead — one they would not surrender in the second half.
Georgia Southwestern led for more than 29 minutes of game time and stretched its advantage to as many as nine points.
USCB made several pushes, trimming the margin to three with just over two minutes remaining, but clutch free throws from Reaves and Jacobs sealed the road victory.
What It Means
Saturday's win not only strengthens GSW's postseason positioning, but it also sends a message.
On the road. Against one of the league's top teams. With efficient shooting, defensive pressure, and poise at the line.
The Hurricanes delivered one of their sharpest performances of the season — and in the middle of a tight Peach Belt race, that timing could matter most.
By the Numbers
- 24 - Career-high points for Deonte Williams on 10-of-15 shooting
- 20 - Points from Amir Reaves, the second time this season two Hurricanes have scored 20+ in the same game
- 50% - Three-point shooting (7-of-14), matching GSW's season high from beyond the arc
- 22 - Free throws made, the most in a game this season for the Hurricanes
- 12 - Steals, the second-most in a game this year
- 26 - Points off turnovers generated by GSW's defensive pressure
- 29:04 - Time led by Georgia Southwestern
- 3 - Home losses for USC Beaufort this season — one delivered by the Hurricanes
Next Up
A trip to league-leading Lander University awaits on Wednesday. The Hurricanes handed LU their first conference loss earlier this season.
