January 21, 2008

Boxscore

LAURINBURG, N.C.—Junior forward Joseph Gripper (Charlotte, N.C.) scored 14 of his team-high 19 points in the second half to help host St. Andrews Presbyterian College hold off Conference Carolinas foe Limestone College, 87-77, on Monday night in Harris Court.

The Knights, who improved to 4-12 overall and 3-6 in the league, shot a season-best 57.4-percent from the field en route to their second victory in three days. Senior Marques Williams (Rochester, N.Y.) kept the visitors in the game late hitting five of his game-high seven 3-pointers in the second half. Williams finished with a game-high 25 points but the Saints fell to 2-11 and 0-8.

“I am proud and happy for our team,” said third year St. Andrews head coach Billy Lee. “The guys have worked hard in both our wins and losses and it is nice to see the hard work pay off and play well down the stretch. I believe we scored on 13 of our last 14 offensive possessions which showed a lot of poise and composure.”

SAPC sealed the victory by hitting 24-of-31 (77.4%) free throws including 21 freebees in the final 20 minutes but the long ball kept Limestone within reach. The Saints, who lead the conference in three-pointers per game, drilled 16 treys but only made 5-of-12 (41.7%) free throws.

A senior Marcus Hoke (Charlotte, N.C.) three-pointer quickly doubled-up the score, 16-8, just 6:30 into the contest for St. Andrews. The Knights, who never trailed, continued to build on their lead and an old-fashion three-point play by Gripper gave the hosts their largest lead of the night, 27-8.

Limestone pulled back into the game with a 26-12 run over the next seven minutes that included a trio of three-pointers by junior Andre Coleman (Clermont, Fla.). However, a junior Charles Phillips (Decatur, Ga.) basket in the final minute extended the Knights lead to seven, 41-34, at halftime.

St. Andrews took a lead into the locker room with a hot hand, drilling 63.0% of their shots. Sophomore Colby Poe (Bennettsville, S.C.) led the Knights at the intermission scoring all nine of his points in the first half. Coleman led all scorers with 12 points on four 3-pointers.

“Limestone has players that can shoot the lights out,” commented Lee. “Coleman did it in the first half and Williams did it in the second half.”

The Knights held a 10-point advantage four minutes into the second half but a quick 8-0 burst by the Saints, capped by a senior Kenny White (Columbia, S.C.) three-pointer, pulled Limestone within two. Gripper helped St. Andrews regain a double-digit lead three minutes later with back-to-back bombs from behind the arc.

Limestone continued to fire up shots from downtown and a sophomore Tyron Evans (Leesburg, Fla.) three-pointer once again made the game a one-possession contest at 67-65 with five minutes left.

Senior Bradley Hippolyte (Brooklyn, N.Y.) scored the next five points to give the Knights some working room with four minutes on the clock (72-65) and St. Andrews sealed the victory by hitting 18 free throws in the final 4:19.

The Saints hit nine of their 16 three-pointers in the final 20 minutes but the Knights hit half their shots (10-for-20) in the second stanza to win by 10. SAPC held a 35-31 rebounding edge and committed nine less fouls. St. Andrews also set new season-highs of 87 points and 19 assists.

“Nineteen assists leads to a good shooting percentage,” added Lee. “Both Marcus (Hoke) and Joseph (Gripper) hit some timely three-pointers for us and we did a better job finding the open man. Tonight’s win was our best offensive effort of the year both shooting the ball and with execution.”

Gripper scored his 19 points on 5-for-7 touch from the field and 6-for-7 accuracy from the line. Poe and Phillips followed right behind with 18 points apiece. Gripper and Phillips each just missed a double-double by pulling down eight rebounds while both dishing out five assists. Hoke scored all 12 of his points on four 3-pointers.

“Charles (Phillips) once again did everything for us other than change the light bulbs and sell the popcorn”, expressed Lee. “Gripper improved his defensive play tonight and he fought through tiredness late to help us secure the win.”

Williams drilled 9-of-15 shots including 7-of-12 from deep for his game-high 25 points. Coleman and senior Andrae Franklin (Fort Pierce, Fla.) also reached double-digits with 12 points apiece. Franklin grabbed a team-high eight rebounds while senior John Prioleau (Charleston, S.C.) had a game-high six assists.

St. Andrews next hosts Conference Carolinas rival Coker College on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. while Limestone hosts league foe Lees-McRae College at the same time.