January 5, 2008

Boxscore

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Junior point guard Charles Phillips (Decatur, Ga.) scored a career-high 20 points to lead St. Andrews Presbyterian College to a 70-61 conquest against visiting Lees-McRae College in Conference Carolinas men’s basketball action on Saturday afternoon in Harris Court.

Phillips was clutch from the free throw line down the stretch making 10-of-11 total attempts to seal St. Andrews’ second victory in three days. The Knights shot 56.5-percent for the game as they improved to 2-8 overall and 1-2 in conference play. The Bobcats, who fell to 2-8 and 1-3, committed 23 turnovers.

“We played a good defensive game,” said St. Andrews third year head coach Billy Lee. “We are getting better and have played well in our last two games especially on defense”

The first 15 minutes of the game was played close with four lead changes and the largest lead being five points during that span. Trailing by three, 19-16, St. Andrews out scored the Bobcats 15-4 in the final eight minutes of the first half to take a 31-23 lead into the halftime break.

Phillips helped the Knights take the eight-point lead into the intermission with five steals and nine points on a perfect 4-for-4 shooting. SAPC had nine total steals in the first 20 minutes leading to 15 points off 14 Bobcat turnovers. St. Andrews shot 56.0-percent in the first half while LMC was 42.9% accurate.

St. Andrews continued with the momentum out of the locker room starting the second half with a 19-6 burst to build their largest lead of the game at 21 points (50-29). However, Lees-McRae kept working and made a valiant comeback with their own 19-4 run to pull back within six at 54-48 with 8:11 remaining.

The Bobcats got to within six for a fourth time in the second period at 64-58 with 96 second left but the Knights made six of their last eight free throw attempts to seal the nine-point victory.

“We moved well on defense today but got a little tired late,” stated Lee. “We got good lead but were uncomfortable in that situation. We got a little tired late but found a way to persevere. Lees-McRae is a well coached team that showed a lot of heart.”

Phillips set his new career-high of 20 points by going a blazing 5-for-7 from the floor while using 10-of-11 precision on the freebees. Phillips also had six boards, five steals, and four assists.

“Charles (Phillips) did everything for us today other than changing the light bulbs and selling the popcorn,” commented Lee. “He is the consonant team player and a winner in every way both on the court and off. With his new duties as a point guard, Charles has done an admirable job as our primary ball handler and as a team leader. He also brings a lot of intensity on defense with his steals.”

The Charlotte, N.C., duo of junior Joseph Gripper and senior Marcus Hoke bucketed 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Knights. Sophomore Colby Poe (Bennettsville, N.C.) scored nine points; freshman Zack Garst (Huntersville, N.C.) tallied eight; and senior Bradley Hippolyte (Brooklyn, N.C.) added eight.

SAPC won the battle of the boards, 34-28, including six rebounds from Hoke, Hippolyte, and Phillips. Gripper tied Phillips with five steals.

Freshmen Aaron Willey (Kingsport, Tenn.) and Raysean Hairston (Elizabethtown, N.C.) were the only two Bobcats in double digits. Willey scored a team-high 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting while Hairston totaled 10 points.

St. Andrews will play its third game in five days when they travel to Conference Carolinas foe Belmont Abbey College on Monday at 7:30 p.m.

“Winning two games in the past three days may potentially boost our confidence as we see the fruits of our hard work pay off but playing three games a week will be a challenge for us to keep up the defensive intensity,” concluded Lee.