BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The Men's Basketball team for the University of South Carolina Beaufort faced Georgia Southwestern on Saturday afternoon, as the Hurricanes closed out a 91-84 victory over the Sand Sharks in a close game down the stretch.
The Sand Sharks drop to 17-7 on the season with an 11-5 conference record, while Georgia Southwestern is now 16-8 with a 9-7 conference mark.
USCB was led in scoring by Evan Kilminster, who had 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting, along with six assists and five rebounds. He was one of four double-figure scorers, joined by Dominic Eason with 14 points, Shea Champine with 13, and Hudson Norton with 13.
Kevaughn Price opened the scoring in the first half with a basket for an early 2-0 lead, followed by Nolan Paladugu with a three-pointer as the Sand Sharks jumped out early with efficient shooting. The Hurricanes took their first lead at the 16:19 mark of the first half on a basket for an 8-7 advantage over the Sand Sharks. Dylan Lewis quickly pushed the Sand Sharks back in front with his first points off a steal leading to a layup.
The two teams battled back and forth as the Sand Sharks held a one-point advantage at 19-18 with 10:00 minutes left in the first half before a Hurricanes three-pointer stole the lead. This started a 9-0 run for the Hurricanes, taking a 27-19 lead with eight minutes left in the half.
Hudson Norton used his first points of the half to end the Hurricanes' run. After trailing, the Sand Sharks responded with an 11-0 spurt to take a 41-38 lead, highlighted by five points from Kilminster, including a three-pointer that was his 13th point of the half. This run forced two turnovers and 0-for-2 shooting from the Hurricanes.
GSW responded, ending the half on a run to take the lead from the Sand Sharks heading into the halftime break at 44-42.
Eason scored the first points of the second half for the Sand Sharks on a layup off a Paladugu steal, as USCB trailed 46-44 early in the half. Georgia Southwestern held the lead through the first part of the second half, keeping their advantage around six points as the Sand Sharks chipped away at the deficit. Eason scored four straight points on a pull-up jump shot, giving him 11 points.
At the 4:07 mark of the second half, Kilminster hit a three-pointer to pull the Sand Sharks back within three points at 76-73. The deficit stayed at three multiple times, including Shea Champine cutting it to 76-73 with 3:02 remaining.
Norton then pushed the deficit down to two at 83-81 with 2:13 remaining, but Georgia Southwestern was able to hold at the foul line to secure the 91-84 victory over the Sand Sharks Saturday at Novant Health Court at The Cove.
The Sand Sharks return home Monday night to face Lander University, continuing their home stand at 7:30 p.m.
