The Greensboro College men's basketball team faced William Peace University in the first USA South Athletic Conference matchup of the season for both teams. A late push by the Pride fell short as the Pacers held on for the 88-83 win.

Coming out of halftime, Greensboro (2-5, 0-1) led 48-39 but William Peace (2-3, 1-0) opened with a 10-2 run to pull within one (50-49). The Pride responded with seven-straight to regain a 57-49 at the 14:25 mark.

The Pacers chipped away at the deficit and thanks to an 11-2 run, the hosts grabbed its first lead since the 4:15 mark of the first half. Trailing 72-65 with 4:43 to go in regulation, the Pride looked to even the score.

GC slowly climbed back into the game and eventually cut the difference to two points (85-83) with 10 seconds remaining on the clock. Greyson Collins scored eight points over the four and a half minutes as Greensboro went 4-5 from the field and 8-9 from the free throw line.

However, William Peace made three of its four free throw attempts to win by just five points.

Matthew Brown led the Pride with 26 points and secured nine rebounds. Collins added 23 points with five rebounds. The Pacers were paced by Isaiah Everette-Lewis with 26 points. WPU's Beau Bryant recorded a double-double with 12 points and 15 rebounds.

In the first half, Greensboro opened with an 11-3 run as Collins and Kevon Meertins each scored four points. William Peace pulled within two (13-11) but the Pride responded with a 13-2 run to double the hosts (26-13).

Both squads went back-and-forth until the Pacers out scored GC 14-2 to even the score at 30 with 6:22 to go in the first half. WPU eventually took a two-point edge (36-34) two minutes later.

Over the final 3:14 of the half, Greensboro went on a 14-3 run as it shot 5-8 from the field including 3-5 from three-point range. The Pride led by nine (48-39) as both teams headed to their respective locker rooms.

GC out rebounded the Pacers 45-38 but were barely out shot from the field (44.4-43.5 percent) and from three-point range (37.1-33.3 percent)

Greensboro faces Virginia University of Lynchburg in the Roger Taylor Invitational hosted by North Carolina Wesleyan on Friday, December 3. Start time is set for 6:00 p.m.