Presbyterian defeats SC Upstate 86-77
Presbyterian Pulls Off Thrilling 86-77 Victory Over SC Upstate in Templeton Center
The Presbyterian Colonels (HOME) proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the conference on Saturday night, capturing an 86-77 victory over visiting SC Upstate (AWAY). The home team's balanced attack and stifling defense allowed them to pull away from their visitors, securing a crucial win in the process.
At halftime, Presbyterian held a slim 31-30 lead, but it was clear that this game would be a defensive battle. The second half saw both teams make adjustments, with SC Upstate tightening up their defense to limit Presbyterian's scoring opportunities. However, it was the Colonels' ability to contain SC Upstate's high-powered offense that ultimately proved decisive.
Jonah Pierce led the way for Presbyterian with 29 points on an impressive 11-of-13 shooting from the field (84.6%). His performance was complemented by a strong all-around effort from Jaylen Peterson, who chipped in with 12 rebounds and 13 points while also notching two steals.
For SC Upstate, Learic Davis led the way with 18 points on 66.7% shooting, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Colonels' stifling defense. Karmani Gregory provided a spark off the bench with 9 points, 4 assists, and 2 rebounds in just over 20 minutes of play.
One key statistic that stood out was Presbyterian's dominance in the paint, where they outscored SC Upstate by 10 points (40-34). This advantage, combined with their strong free throw shooting (72.0%), helped them build a significant lead late in the game.
The margin of victory was not insurmountable, as SC Upstate managed to keep it within single digits for most of the second half. However, Presbyterian's ability to close out the game and secure the win was the deciding factor.
This win marks an important step forward for Presbyterian in their conference campaign. With a balanced attack and stingy defense, they have proven themselves to be a force to be reckoned with on both ends of the court. As they look to build momentum heading into the second half of the season, this victory will serve as a confidence booster for the Colonels.
Game Stats:
* Presbyterian (HOME): 55.0% FG, 59.0% 2-PT FG, 38.0% 3-PT FG, 72.0% FT Rate
* SC Upstate (AWAY): 52.0% FG, 54.1% 2-PT FG, 47.0% 3-PT FG, 65.0% FT Rate
Game Flow:
* Halftime: Presbyterian led 31-30
* Largest leads: Presbyterian 11, SC Upstate 8