Wednesday, February 14, 2007

PIONEER DEFENSE STYMIES NEWBERRY 64-42

NEWBERRY, S.C. --- Larry Minnefee tallied a game-high 19 points as the Tusculum College men’s basketball team posted a 64-42 win over Newberry College Wednesday night at Eleazer Arena.

The Pioneers (12-13, 5-9 SAC) sweep the season series over the Indians, while limiting the Tribe to its lowest offensive output since 1992. It is also the fewest points allowed by a Tusculum team since Nov. 27, 2002 when the Pioneers defeated North Greenville University 92-41.

Minnefee was one of three Tusculum players in double figure scoring. Chris Poore added 18 points, shooting 8-for-12 from the field, while Gabe Story finished with 11 points and eight rebounds for the Pioneers.

Newberry’s Cory Etheridge scored 14 points and was the only Indian in double figures.

The Pioneers opened the game on an 8-0 run over the first 3:40, and didn’t allow a Newberry bucket until an Etheridge tip-in made it 8-2 five minutes into the game. Tusculum never trailed, and extended its lead to 13 at halftime, 33-20.

Newberry cut the lead to eight in a lay-up by Keith Marshall with 12:48 to play, but missed an opportunity to make it a two possession game when a Tommy Burke triple rimmed out.

The Pioneers proceeded to go on a 10-1 surge, taking a 50-33 lead with 8:31 left on a Lavanti Jeter basket.

Tusculum shot 25-for-45 from the floor (55.6%) while limiting the Indians to just 15-of-50 shooting on the night (30%).

The Pioneers return to the Palmetto State on Saturday to face Presbyterian College for a 4 p.m. SAC contest.

- TC -