High Point Soars to New Heights with Historic Victory

HIGH POINT, N.C. – The Panthers’ impressive 53 points in the first half propelled the High Point University men’s basketball team to a decisive 96-55 victory over Gardner-Webb University on Saturday evening. This 41-point win marks HPU’s largest margin of victory against a Big South Conference rival in the history of the program.
 
“We’re certainly satisfied with the result. Our players were highly engaged right from the start. Defensively, we were effective in the lanes, forcing them to make extra passes and play harder. They clearly weren’t at their best tonight, and in addition, we hit several three-pointers in the first half which allowed us to establish a lead,” stated Head Coach Alan Huss. “I appreciated that in the second half we kept pushing forward and maintained our focus, further extending our lead, which is significant for us to achieve consistency across two halves.”
 
Venue: Qubein Center
Final Score: High Point 96, Gardner-Webb 55
Records: High Point (15-4, 3-1), Gardner-Webb (7-10, 2-2)
 
HPU got off to a strong start when Chase Johnston drove to the basket with a running floater for his two points. Kezza Giffa directed the rapid-fire offense as he passed the ball to Johnston from beyond the arc for his second basket of the night and the team’s second overall.

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Trae Benham hit a three-pointer after Bobby Pettiford found him wide open on the right side. It was a shooting showcase for Benham, who could not miss from the perimeter, sinking three consecutive shots to push the Panthers’ advantage to over ten points, leading 30-14, with 9:45 left in the first frame.

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Benham was not the sole contributor for HPU, as Abdoulaye Thiam also nailed a three-pointer on the subsequent possession. HPU connected on its seventh and eighth three-pointers of the half after Kimani Hamilton and Johnston sank a pair each.

 

Pettiford got involved as well, converting another three-point attempt for the Panthers to elevate HPU’s lead to 47-23. He finished the first half with a turnaround jumper just as the clock expired, granting the Panthers a commanding 30-point lead, 53-23 at the break.

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Benham led the team at halftime with 12 points, having made four three-pointers in the first frame.

 

Hamilton fought through traffic in the paint for two points, marking HPU’s first score of the second half.

 

Pettiford energized the crowd following a steal on defense, culminating in a left-handed dunk on the other end.

 

Johnston maintained his success from beyond the arc, recording his fourth three-pointer of the evening, bringing his total to 16 points and extending the Panthers’ lead to 81-46.

 

David Fonville entered the game and quickly contributed by making his first career three-pointer from the corner. HPU’s three-point dominance continued as Titas Sargiunas also hit a three from the left side, giving HPU a generous 43-point lead at 91-48.

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“Our strategy focuses on making shots from long distance. We concede some height and athleticism at certain positionsso we can launch the basketball,” remarked Huss. “We have players that can effectively cover the court, and when we exhibit selflessness, we can craft some high-quality chances.

 

Andrew Sineway netted a basket in the final moments with 22 seconds left, sealing the game for the Panthers and securing HPU its third Big South triumph of the season, 96-55. Four Panthers achieved double-digit scoring as Johnston topped the charts with a game-high 16 points on 4-5 shooting from beyond the arc and 6-7 overall from the field. Benham contributed 12, Pettiford totaled 11, and D’maurian Williams added 10 points. Abdoulaye Thiam logged eight points, helping him exceed his 1000th career point milestone.

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UP NEXT: The Panthers are set to head to Farmville, VA to compete against Longwood University on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. on ESPNU.

 

#GoHPU x #OnTheProwl