Panthers GCAC Showdown: The Tie-Breaker

Courtesy Philander Smith College

Author: Shareese Kondo, PSC Public Relations

In Basketball news, the Panther men’s team met the Xavier University Gold Rush in an exciting contest decided by a three point basket with just seconds remaining in the game. The Panthers got off to an early lead in the first period using a balanced scoring attack led by PSC Forward Alvin Nance, Center Juvon Demerson and Guard Clayton Busby. Early hot shooting by Nance had the Panthers up by as many as 10 points, scoring 9 points from 3 point range. Busby also chipped in with 2 baskets from 3 point range. The game seemed to go basket for basket with Xavier guard Renard Smith controlling the tempo for the Gold Rush. The Gold Rush ended the first half up by four points with a score of 45 to 41.

The second half turned physical as players on both teams picked up reach-in and blocking fouls. Denzel Erves pounded the boards for the Gold Rush, picking up eight rebounds; Forward Alvin Nance contributed eight rebounds for the Panthers. Xavier took the lead with 47 seconds left in the game with a 3-point shot put up by Gold Rusher Wanto Joseph. After a series of back and forth scoring, Wanto scored another three-pointer to nail the game 84-79 for Xavier.