Pioneers hold off pressing Lions in waning seconds
The Mars Hill men's basketball team (1-6, 1-6 SAC) was defeated by a score of 78-75 at the hands of the Tusculum Pioneers (8-4, 8-4 SAC) Wednesday evening.
GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - The Mars Hill men's basketball team (1-6, 1-6 SAC) was defeated by a score of 78-75 at the hands of the Tusculum Pioneers (8-4, 8-4 SAC) Wednesday evening.
The Lions battled all second half to claw within reach of the Pioneers and cut the deficit down to two following a 7-0 run late in the contest. In the final 2:23 of the game, Mars Hill pulled within one on two separate occasions, both off of Austin Gilyard baskets; one three-pointer and one jumper. Gilyard scored 10 of the last 12 Lions' points in the game.
In the final 14 seconds, Trenton Gibson drained two free throws to add a small cushion down the stretch for Tusculum and ultimately, enough to fend off the Lions.
The Pioneers led 9-8 with 14:16 to play in the first half. A Gibson layup was the catalyst for a Pioneers' 7-0 run to double up the Lions. They built their lead to as many as 15 with under four minutes to play in the half. With three seconds left in the frame, Nassyr Daniel's layup sent the Lions into halftime trailing 44-32.
Both Gibson and James West IV had 11 points for the Pioneers while Javonte Cooke led the way with 11 for Mars Hill.
In almost a reverse of the first half, the Lions shot 50 percent from the floor and outscored the Pioneers 43-34. Gilyard went off, scoring 15 of his 20 points in the frame.
Mars Hill opened the half on an 8-2 run to narrow the deficit to six with just over two minutes played. Tusculum answered at every opportunity, staving off the Lions and building their lead to as many as 11 with under eight minutes to play.
Gibson added 12 points in the second half while Isayah Johnson scored 10 for the Lions. Gibson led all players with 23 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double. Both Gilyard and Cooke recorded 20 points apiece to lead the Lions.
Mars Hill returns to action on Thursday, February 4 when they host Limestone. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
