BLUFFTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – The University of South Carolina Beaufort men's basketball team defeated the Middle Georgia State Knights on Saturday afternoon, closing out an 89–74 victory thanks to a dominant second-half performance in which they scored 54 points.
USCB improved to 17–5 overall and 11–3 in conference play, earning their fourth straight win.
The Sand Sharks were led by Qurahn Anderson, who scored 23 points. He was one of three USCB players to reach double figures, joined by Dominic Eason with 15 points and 10 rebounds to complete a double-double, and Shea Champine, who also scored in double digits. Eason added three blocks on defense as well.
Eason opened the scoring in the early seconds with a three-pointer assisted by Nolan Paladugu, giving USCB an early 3–0 lead. The Sand Sharks scored the first five points of the game in the opening three minutes, building an 8–2 lead after Aiden Fitzgerald hit a three-pointer. Middle Georgia State scored their first basket at the 16:34 mark on a layup, cutting the lead to 8–4.
The strong start continued as points from Anderson and Ismail Rashid pushed the Sand Sharks ahead by double digits at 16–6 with 14:44 remaining in the half. About halfway through the opening period, Middle Georgia State mounted a run and cut the lead to two at 18–16. Eason ended the run with a slam dunk, keeping USCB ahead 20–16 with 10 minutes remaining in the half.
Late in the first half, Rashid pushed the lead back to seven with a layup in the closing seconds. Middle Georgia State responded with a final basket before halftime, but the Sand Sharks still held a 35–29 advantage at the break.
Eason opened the second half with a layup off a Dylan Lewis rebound, pushing the lead back to eight. USCB's defense held the Knights scoreless until the 16:33 mark of the second half.
The Sand Sharks responded quickly with a three-pointer from Kevaughn Price, assisted by Evan Kilminster. After Middle Georgia State cut the deficit to four, USCB answered with a 13–6 run to push the lead back to 11.
During that stretch, the Sand Sharks shot 5-of-6, including two three-pointers, while holding Middle Georgia State to four missed shots. USCB led 53–42 with 11:49 remaining, and continued to stretch the lead to 15 points at 59–44.
The Sand Sharks maintained control, answering every Knights run. Qurahn Anderson scored his 20th point on a driving layup to extend the lead to 79–65, keeping USCB ahead by double digits.
Kilminster scored the final point of the game, sealing the 89–74 victory for USCB.
USCB recorded five blocks and scored 50 points in the paint, helping secure the 15-point win.
The Sand Sharks continue their homestand on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. against Columbus State at the Cove on Novant Health Court.
Stay tuned to uscbathletics.com and follow Sand Shark Athletics on social media for the latest news, updates, and information.
