Eagles Can't Overcome Early Deficit at Wofford
SPARTANBURG, S.C. -Wofford took an early lead and never looked back on Thursday night (January 14), as the Eagles fell at Benjamin Johnson Arena, 57-71. Georgia Southern started out of the gate slow and while the Eagles played the Terriers even in the second half, they could never recover from the early deficit. Senior guard Antonio Hanson (Ft. Worth, Texas) scored 14 points to lead GSU, adding four more three-point baskets for a career total of 138.
Two Wofford starters finished the game in double figures with Noah Dahlman going 8-10 from the field for at 18 points. Tim Johnson had 11 points and Cameron Rundles came off the bench to add 11. The Eagles' freshman forward Cameron Baskerville (Marietta, Ga.) and Johnson shared the honor for high rebounds with eight each.
Down 14 at the half, the Eagles didn't start quickly after the break. GSU got four points off Baskerville and Rory Spencer (Atlanta, Ga.) layups, but allowed Wofford 13 points during the first five minutes. Hanson, Ben Drayton III (St. Marys, Ga.) and Sandy Perry (Perth Amboy, N.J.) all contributed points in the second period, but Wofford had steadily built its lead. Even with 14 points off Terrier turnovers in the second half, attempts by Georgia Southern to get a run started were countered by Terrier inside baskets and treys.
"Our biggest concern is that they outscrapped us and that shouldn't happen," said Eagles Head Coach Charlton Young. "We looked a step slow, a little tired. Our focus will be to try and go one and one on this trip."
Wofford hit 50.9 percent for the game, cooling off in the second half after a 55.6 field goal percentage in the first (15-27). Georgia Southern improved its shooting in the second half, but was outrebounded 27-16 in the second period.
Without a huge run in the first half, Wofford would outscore the Eagles in increments, firing up a three-pointer or getting a key stop every time Georgia Southern mounted a charge. The biggest difference was points in the paint, with the Terriers outscoring the Eagles 18-8 and taking a 14-2 advantage in second chance points.
The Eagles continue with the second game of the two-game road trip at Furman Saturday, January 16th. Tipoff time is scheduled for 4 p.m. and "Voice of the Eagles" Chris Blair and John Koon will provide commentary on all the action at WPMX 102.9 FM in Statesboro and globally on www.GeorgiaSouthernEagles.com.
- Category: Men's Basketball
- Published on Thursday, 14 January 2010 22:25
