Brevard, NC- Greensboro College's Men's Basketball team (7-9, 3-2) hit the road Wednesday evening as they traveled to a USA Conference opponent, the Brevard College Tornadoes (8-9, 3-3). With the USA South being extremely competitive to start the year, this game was pivotal for the Pride to start separating themselves from the rest. Both teams came into tonight being top 4 in the USA South standings and the game lived up to hype. In what felt like an early season tournament game, the Pride came to play.
Being on the road, Greensboro knew they needed to get off to a good start in order to settle in early. They did just that, getting out to an early 6-0 lead. Brevard would not stay scoreless for long, but with 14 minutes left, a Matthew Brown jump shot would put the Pride up 10-4. This would spark a huge run from the Pride over the ensuing minutes of the game.
Greensboro would outscore the Tornadoes 13-5 over this period and carry a 23-9 lead into the final seven minutes of the first half. In response to the Greensboro run, Brevard would spark one of their own. The Tornadoes hit three straight shots from the behind the arc and shot their way back into the game. The Pride would be outscored 19-7 to end the half, but still took a two-point lead into the break (30-28).
The second half would start differently from the first. While the first was a game of runs, this half both teams would trade baskets throughout. Despite leading the entire first half, the Pride would see themselves go down as much as 8 points. Isaiah Pruett got the scoring going in the second half, and by the 16 minute mark Greensboro would lead 39-34. However it would be at this point that Brevard would go on the only 10+ point run of the half. Over the next six minutes Brevard would hold the Pride to just 4 points and go up 51-43.
With only ten minutes left, in the game the Pride knew they needed to start battling or it would be too late. Erik Alvey would come off the bench and provide Greensboro with the spark they needed. Alvey locked up Brevard's best shooter and grabbed multiple important rebounds, with a few leading to crucial second chance points. After a Mathew Brown score, the Pride saw themselves only down 51-49 with six minutes left in the second half. The Pride would continue to battle, and with just under three minutes left, Isaiah Pruitt would sink a free throw to put the Pride up 57-56.
In the last few minutes of the game, the Pride would continue to play outstanding defense while also hitting 10/11 free throws to close it out. Despite giving up the lead early in the second half, Greensboro showed their ability to fight through any adversity to get the job done. The Pride would win a tough road game 67-63 and jump Brevard in the USA South Standings for second place. While this game was a complete team win, Matthew Brown shined fresh off becoming Greensboro's all-time leading rebounder with a 22 point, 11 rebound double-double.
Tim Boulware was another key for Greensboro, scoring 16 points and hitting key free throws in the last few minutes. Grant Thompson also scored in double figures with 12 points.
The Pride will look to carry this momentum into the weekend as they travel for another USA South Conference match-up. Greensboro will face Pfeiffer University on Saturday, January 20th at 4:00pm. Fans of the Pride can go to greensborocollegesports.com for updates and to watch the broadcast.
Alex Trepper - Athletics Communications Intern
