HATTIESBURG, Miss. – Despite trailing by 13 at halftime, Georgia Southern men's basketball (11-12, 4-7 SBC) nearly came back in the second half, but fell 72-68 at Southern Miss (10-13, 5-6) on Saturday.
Nate Brafford and
Eren Banks both cashed in early threes, the team's only field goals through the first nine minutes. Southern Miss kept the team at arm's length throughout the rest of the half.
Collin Kuhl delivered a block, defensive rebound and transition bucket in an ensuing sequence to make it 29-19 USM, but that was as close as it was for the rest of the frame. The Golden Eagles caused 11 turnovers and led 36-23 at halftime.
The Eagles didn't find second-half life until midway through.
Adante' Holiman nailed a three to cap a 12-2 run at 8:25, making it a 53-45 deficit.
GS continued its mad dash in the final three minutes. Holiman nailed four consecutive threes to get to within eight, and
Bradley Douglas responded with one of his own to make it a five-point affair.
With eight seconds remaining,
Eren Banks hit a corner three to make it 71-68 USM, the closest the game was since early in the first half, however, the Golden Eagles made a free throw on the other end and the desperation heave at the end of the game by Douglas was long, sealing a four-point loss for the visitors.
Holiman led the way with another outstanding effort, scoring 24 on a career-best six threes made, also tying a season-high with four boards and setting a new career-best with four steals. Douglas (10) was the only other player in double figures. Holiman is the first Eagle with 24 points, 2 assists, 4 steals and at least 6 threes in a game since Jelani Hewitt on Jan. 17, 2015 at Troy.
Tyson Brown nearly had his second double-double in a row, recording another big-time game with nine points and 12 rebounds. He's the first Eagle with consecutive double-digit rebound games since Andrei Savrasov did so on Feb. 9 & Feb. 11, 2023, and the first with 11 or more in two consecutive games since Carlos Curry did it on Dec. 21 & 29, 2022.
The Eagles will look to quell the losing skid at three against Louisiana on Wednesday.
