RALEIGH, N.C. – The Greensboro College men's basketball team dropped their USA South Athletic Conference opener to the Pacers of William Peace University Wednesday, 82-71.
 
With the score tied at two just two minutes into the game, Carmoni Marks hit a pair of layups over the next minute to give Greensboro a four-point lead.
 
Four minutes later after the Pacers pulled to within three, Justin Minnis connected from long range to give the Pride their largest lead of the contest at 11=5 with 14 minutes to play in the first half.
 
Greensboro then maintained their lead until the six-minute mark when Smith Gupton hit a layup to give the Pacers a 21-20 edge.
 
Over the final six minutes of the half, the two teams traded the lead back and forth until the Pacers went into the break with a 31-28 advantage.
 
Following the intermission, the Pride was unable to get their offense going which allowed William Peace to open the half on a 20-4 run over the first six minutes to establish a 19-point lead at 51-32.
 
Greensboro tried to climb back into the game, but could not get any closer than 11 points.
 
'It is still a young season and we will improve," Head Coach Bryan Galuski said. "It is a process and unfortunately we are finding out how hard it is to win college basketball games.
 
"We are being tested mentally and physically, and our locker room remains tight. The process to learn is not always easy."
 
Marks finished with a game-high 23 points to go along with seven rebounds and Minnis finished with 13 points. Kevon Meertins was the only other Pride player to finish in double figures with 11.
 
The Pride men will return to USA South play and Hanes Gymnasium at 2 p.m. Saturday when they take on the Scots of Maryville College. For more information on Greensboro College men's basketball, continue to follow www.greensborocollegesports.com.