Jan 29th Conference Play Preview
Breaking down the action from the Snow Day and previewing that action on Jan 29th
Well, that was definitely interesting, for the first time since 2021, we had Big South conference games on a Friday and those games did not disappointed.
Two game winners, one overtime, three double digits lead evaporated.
And that’s not even counting the stellar game from Saturday, we break down that and MUCH MORE.
Snow Day Recap:
Gardner Webb beats USC Upstate 67-65
Recap: Coming into this one, Gardner Webb hadn’t beaten a D1 team all season and early in the going it looked like that trend would continue. Despite starting with a 5-0 lead, Gardner Webb was quickly down 10, then down a game high of 13. Unlike 3 of the past 4 though, Gardner Webb didn’t give up going on a 9-0 run to close the gap to 4. Upstate was able to stretch the game back out to 9 points, but GWU ended the half on a 6-0 run only being down 3 entering the 2nd half.
That 6-0 run, became 8-0 before a series of back and forth left Upstate with a small lead for around 8 minutes. With just under 12 minutes to go, Gardner Webb took their first lead since being up early in the game. After GWU took the lead, a LONG series of back and forth then over 2 minutes of stagnation and another bit of back and forth gave Gardner Webb a 5 point lead, but that was almost squandered as USC Upstate tied it at 65 with 20 seconds remaining. Luckily for Gardner Webb, they have the pride of Colorado Springs, CO in Colin Hawkins who hit the game winning layup with 3 seconds left as Gardner Webb got their first win against a D1 team and first Big South win this season.
Gardner Webb Takeaways:
Hungry, Hungry, Hogarth: Jacob Hogarth with 17 points and 11 rebounds, led GWU in both stats and had his 5th double double of the season.
The Icebreaker: The first one is always the hardest one to get, will be interesting to see if GWU can rattle of some momentum after this.
USC Upstate Takeaways:
Gardner Webb Woes: Since Marty Richter has taken over at Upstate, USC Upstate is now 4-0 against USC Upstate.
Bleak Out Look: With only 1 new opponent left, Longwood, Upstate’s schedule looks VERY bleak having to face Top tier teams at their place and playing their winnable games away from home.
High Point beats Radford 93-83
Recap: Coming off a 6 day break, High Point came out sluggish being down 7-0 before taking their first lead with 10-9 right after the 16 minute mark. After a bit of back in forth in which High Point held the advantage for the majority of the time but never getting the lead past 3, Radford went on an 8-0 run to take the lead something they would hold onto for the rest of the half. Radford would get the lead to 10 points but High Point was able to cut the lead to 6 before halftime.
After halftime, it was all High Point as by the 14 minute mark that 6 point Radford advantage had flipped to a 6 point High Point advantage with Radford only scoring 3 points in those 6 minutes of game time. High Point was able to keep the lead at multiple possession for a majority of the 2nd half. High Point was finally able to deliver the “KO” punch with Radford hitting another dry spell as High Point held Radford scoreless until 2 minutes left in the game and High Point would win another game by double figures, this time by 10.
High Point Takeaways:
Scary Terry: Once again Terry Anderson stood out, this time with 31 points and 11 rebounds, his 2nd straight double double.
Aquino Assists: Owen Aquino has added a nice new tool to his bag, Assists, in his past 2 games he has led the team in assists with 7 and 8, far above his Liberty average of 2.7 APG.
Radford Takeaways:
Turnovers: For the 2nd straight games, turnover issues really take Radford out of a win, this time losing the turnover battle 18 to 7.
Lead Management: Something has became glaringly obvious, any lead is not big enough for Radford, Radford has been up double digits in each of the last 3 games and have only won one on a late game buzzer beater.
Longwood beats Charleston Southern 81-79 (OT)
Recap: The last of the three games moved to Friday evening with the two farthest Big South schools squaring off in Farmville, VA. Charleston Southern began with the lead before Longwood quickly took the lead going up 7. Charleston Southern was able to tie the game at 19 but Longwood then rattled off an 11-0 run then another 8-0 run to end the half with an 18 point halftime lead.
In the 2nd half that lead would quickly evaporate as within 6 minutes, Charleston Southern had cut the lead to 4 points. Longwood was able to extend their lead to 11 with just over 4 minutes to go but just like the Presbyterian/CSU game, this one was far from over as Charleston Southern cut that lead to single digits, then a single possession until with 12 seconds A’lahn Sumler hit a circus shot to tie the game at 67.
The overtime period was began with Longwood making a layup and Charleston Southern converting only 1 of 2 at the free throw line. Despite Longwood getting the early OT lead CSU seemed to be the better team starting the overtime period. That became evident as A’lahn Sumler scored 11 points but the game came down to one player, Jaylen Benard hitting a game winning layup to put Longwood up 80-79, which they would seal off winning 81-79.
Longwood Takeaways:
Whole > Sum: The famous saying "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is a clear thing at Longwood, 4 player with 10 more points and 2 players with 9 for Longwood in this one.
Make Your Free Throws: The main thing that won Longwood this game was Free Throws, Longwood made 82% of theirs, Charleston Southern made 65%.
Charleston Southern Takeaways:
Heartbreaker: Another loss for Charleston Southern, in their 5 straight losses, they have lost by a combined 17 points.
Sumler’s Simply Stellar: Once again, A’lahn Sumler with a stellar game this time 30 points, his 2nd 30pt game of conference play.
Winthrop beats Presbyterian 82-72
Recap: The only Big South game on Saturday, but it seemed to have a bit of the Friday Flash. Winthrop jumped out to the lead early but after back and forth no one really had control until Winthrop went on 7-0 run to take a 22-13 lead. Another 7-0 run gave Winthrop a 29-17 lead near the end of the first half. Winthrop was able to get their lead to 13 points before Presbyterian was able to cut that lead to 8 before halftime.
The 2nd half began with Winthrop extending their lead to double figures once again, getting their to as much as 12. Despite that 12 point lead this game was FAR from over as Presbyterian came back and even tied the game at 54 but alas it still wasn’t enough as Winthrop got up 8 with just over 5 minutes to go and was able to hold Presbyterian scoreless over the last 2 minutes of action to win 82-72.
Winthrop Takeaways:
Triple D’s: Logan Duncomb once again with a double double, this time 38 points and 15 rebounds, and is seemingly paving a clear path to Big South POTY (more on this coming at a later date)
Turnovers: Winthrop with only 5 turnovers tied for 2nd least by a Big South team this season.
Presbyterian Takeaways:
The 4 P’s: Presbyterian with 4 players starting with P in their starting 5 for this game. Parrish, Pickett and Pierce all in double figures.
Not The Old PC: Sometimes has become clear, despite losing this one. Presbyterian is not that bottom feeder they used to be.
Jan 29th Previews:
Gardner Webb at UNC Asheville - 6:30pm EST
Preview: The game between two of the Western NC teams should be a fun one, both teams are one down seasons but both teams have something nice to come off of. Gardner Webb is coming off their first win of Big South conference play and UNC Asheville is coming off 1 weeks rest. I do think Asheville is just far better talent wise and with both home court advantage and 1 weeks rest. With all that being said I will side with the Bulldogs… of UNC Asheville.
Score Prediction: UNC Asheville 81 - Gardner Webb 68
Radford at Charleston Southern - 7pm EST
Preview: Entering this game, both CSU and Radford need a win bad, but one way more than the other. CSU enters on a 5 game skid that just seemingly can’t be stopped. Radford on the other hand has blown 3 straight double digit leads and if it weren’t for late game heroics would have lost all 3. I’m going to make a prediction that the team that is leading at the 35 minute mark won’t win the game and I think the leader at the 35 minute mark will be Radford with CSU coming back to win.
Score Prediction: Charleston Southern 91 - Radford 87
Longwood at USC Upstate - 7pm EST
Preview: Truly this game doesn’t pop off the table like the others, so it will probably be the best game of the day. This game does provide a lot to love, Fats Billups and Learic Davis were both some of the most talked about transfers this offseason and both teams have fun returners like Elijah Tucker and Karmani Gregory. With all that said, Longwood does have the better team but I think coming off a win like CSU in OT gives Upstate a chance to pull off a win, especially at home coming off a loss to Gardner Webb.
Score Prediction: USC Upstate 76 - Longwood 74
Presbyterian at High Point - 9pm EST - ESPNU
Preview: The first of four ESPNU wildcard games takes up to High Point, NC as High Point welcomes the Blue Hose to the Qubein Center. High Point is looking to take advantage with Winthrop having the day off as we reach halfway in the season. Presbyterian looks to catch High Point looking ahead at Longwood on (potentially) Saturday. I think HPU comes out in front of their home crowd and the fans watching on ESPNU as they enter a tie for 1st place once again in the Big South.
Score Prediction: High Point 92 - Presbyterian 80