Postgame radio interview with Tai Strickland

Postgame radio interview with Brian Burg

STATESBORO – Tai Strickland knocked down the game-winning bucket with 1.8 seconds left on the clock to lift Georgia Southern to a 54-53 men's basketball win over Campbell Saturday afternoon in Hanner Fieldhouse.

Strickland got the inbounds pass on the left elbow, drove right, absorbed contact and flipped the right-handed runner off the glass and in. Campbell tried a long pass on the inbounds play, but it went through the hands of Joshua Lusane and out of bounds at the other end with 0.8 left. The Eagles threw a long pass away from the basket and into the hands of Tyren Moore to run out the clock.

Eagles of the Game
Moore led the Eagles with 13 points, and Carlos Curry collected a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with six points. Jalen Finch totaled 12 points, four rebounds, four steals and three assists, and Andrei Savrasov posted nine points and six rebounds. Strickland finished with six points and two steals.

Key Moments 
Georgia Southern (7-5) trailed 51-47 with 1:31 to go after a Jay Pal dunk off an assist from Lusane, who led the Fighting Camels (5-6) with 16 points and five assists. Moore knocked down a triple for the Eagles, but Lusane answered with a layup, making the score 53-50 with 50 seconds left.

Finch was fouled driving to the hoop and made both free throws with 40 seconds remaining to trim the margin to one, and the Eagles got a defensive stop at the other end. Moore tried another 3-pointer from the wing, but it came off the rim and into the hands of Finch who called timeout with 5.6 seconds remaining, setting up Strickland's game winner. 

Stats and Notes
- It was the 12th meeting between the two teams, and nine have been decided by six points or less.
- Georgia Southern outscored Campbell 21-3 in points off the bench. 
- The Eagles held Campbell to 30.4 percent shooting in the first half and led 22-20 at the break. GS improved to 31-11 when leading at halftime under Brian Burg.
- GS improved to 37-6 in its last 43 non-conference games in Hanner Fieldhouse.

Next up
The Eagles cap their non-conference schedule by traveling to Ball State for a 7 p.m. contest Dec. 21. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and the GS Sports Network. The Eagles open Sun Belt play Dec. 29 against South Alabama in the nightcap of a doubleheader with the GS women's team. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m. 

The following Hanner for the Holidays ticket specials are available for all games in Hanner through Jan. 7 at the Athletics Ticket Office in the Cowart Building Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m or at the gate on game days (gates open one hour prior to tipoff).
- Bulloch County High Schoolers can purchase discounted $3 tickets with their school ID.