Saturday, November 17, 2007

TUSCULUM MEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS IN WELL BATTLED SEASON OPENER

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Bellarmine University rallied from a 16-point first half deficit to defeat host Tusculum College 81-75 Saturday night in the opening game of the Sodexho Pioneer Classic. The Knights (2-0) trailed by 10 points at the half (42-32) and shot a sizzling 68 percent in the second period to remain undefeated this season.

BU was led by Dzaflo Larkai who accounted for 19 points and six rebounds in the victory. Larkai shot 7-for-11 from the floor, while Chartrael Hall added 15 markers and four assists. Adam Brames finished with 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

Kyle Moore finished the game with 26 points in his Pioneer debut. Moore shot 8-for-12 from the field and was 8-for-8 from the charity stripe. Sophomore Jimmy Boone recorded a career-best 18 points as he set a new school record going a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point land. Senior Jordan Lear finished with 14 points and a game-high eight rebounds, while senior Lavonti Jeter added eight markers in the loss.

Tusculum came out of the gate blazing as the Pioneers shot 60.9 percent in the first half, while finishing the game at 52 percent for the game.

GC&SU 84, Lincoln Memorial 61

Shaun Keaton recorded 22 points to lead the Georgia College & State University men's basketball team to an 84-61 win over Lincoln Memorial University in the second game of the 2007 Sodexho Pioneer Classic. The four-team, two-day event is being held at Pioneer Arena on the campus of Tusculum College. It was the season-opener for both teams.

The Bobcats (1-0) also got 15 points each from Aaron Clark and Graham Martin in the win, while LeVert Carter led all players with 14 rebounds.

LMU's Terry Delaney led all scorers with 23 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Beau Brown finished with 14 markers, while Emmanuel Njomo accounted for 10 points in the loss.

Keaton shot a sizzling 8-for-12 from the floor, including 5-for-9 from three-point territory. GC&SU's Justin Brown added 14 points, while Chuck Eason added six assists and a pair of steals. The Bobcats shot 55.7 percent from floor, while draining 11 3-pointers.

LMU (0-1) will face Bellarmine University (1-0) in Sunday's opening game beginning at 2 p.m. GC&SU will take on the host Pioneers (0-1) in the final contest of the Classic at 4 p.m.

- TC -