GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Greensboro College men's basketball team defeated the Pacers of William Peace University 84-81 Wednesday to open USA South Athletic Conference play.
 
The Pride (7-5, 1-0 USA South) jumped out to an 8-3 lead before the Pacers (5-7, 0-1 USA South) rallied to tie the game at 11.
 
After trading baskets, Greensboro went on a 7-0 run to establish a 21-16 lead. Trevin Miller recorded five points during the span, while Lorenzo Marry accounted for the other two.
 
Later in the half, WPU used a 7-0 run of its own to establish a 39-35 lead before going into the intermission on top 43-42.
 
Early in the second period, the Pride established its largest lead of the game at 52-45 following a 6-0 run. Parris Scales, who recorded a game-high 22 points, scored the first bucket of the stretch, while Donavan Griffith electrified the crowd with a lob dunk off an assist by Joseph Gatling.
 
The Pacers then rallied to tie the game at 77, but the Pride connected on six of seven from the free-throw line to pull ahead 84-81.
 
As time expired, William Peace got a shot off, but it rimmed out to give Greensboro the victory.
 
"We played pretty well overall tonight, but we have areas that we still need to improve on," Head Coach Bryan Galuski said. "We did a good job down low, but we have to turn our attention to Saturday and get ready to play a tough Averett University team."
 
Scales also led the Pride will 11 rebounds. Gatling (15) and Howard also had double-figure scoring nights.
 
Greensboro converted on 92 percent (23-25) of its free throws and outrebounded the Pacers, 38-34.
 
Chris Thomas paced William Peace with 18 points, while Terry Rogers contributed 12 points.
 
The Pride will return to action at 4 p.m. Saturday when they travel to take on the Cougars of Averett University in another USA South clash. For more information on the Greensboro College men's basketball team, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.