Eight straight for red-hot Bobcats
The GCSU men’s basketball team pushed its winning streak to eight games this past Monday night when it defeated Flagler College on the road 80-69.
The Bobcats came into the game with an aggressive mindset and secured an early lead over the Saints. Even though both teams were playing well, GCSU managed to maintain a slight lead.
As the first half progressed, the Bobcats’ lead became larger. With less than two minutes remaining in the first half, GCSU secured its first 10-point-lead over the when a layup from senior guard Jake Rios set the score at 31-21.
The Bobcats did not let up, and the first half ended with GCSU leading 36-25.
When the second half began, the Bobcats continued to outpace the Saints. GCSU began to increase its advantage. With 8:17 remaining in the game, a 3-pointer from senior point guard Ty Rowland secured a 19-point cushion for the Bobcats at 61-42.
From there, GCSU remained in control over the Saints for the remainder of the game and the Bobcats defeated Flagler with the final score of 80-69.
GCSU’s shooting percentage for the game was 50 percent on field goals, 38.5 percent on 3-point field goals and 77 percent on free throws, including a 23-of-26 second-half effort from the charity stripe.
The leading scorer for the Bobcats was Rowland with 18 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including 2-of-5 on 3-pointers and 4-of-4 on free throws.
“We can always get a little bit better but I think we definitely played about as good as we can play right now,” Rowland said. “No matter what, even if we’re having an off shooting night, if we still bring the energy and everybody’s playing 100 percent on defense, then we should still win.”
Rios and senior guard Graham Martin seconded that effort, each putting up 13 points for the Bobcats.
Prior to the win over Flager, the Bobcats hit the road to face Montevallo and came away with their seventh straight win in the contest, 61-52.
When the first half began, the Bobcats were the first to take the lead. However, Montevallo pulled ahead and began to control the game. Once the Falcons took the lead, the Bobcats were unable to gain back control in the first half.
With 3:50 remaining in the first half, Martin was fouled and made both free throws, which tied the game at 23-23. Even so, Montevallo gained the lead again shortly after and the Bobcats trailed the Falcons for the remainder of the first half and headed into the locker room trailing 34-27.
When the second half started, the Bobcats began chipping away at the seven-point lead. Playing aggressively on both offense and defense, they eventually tied the game at 39 on a layup by junior forward Josh Hurst with 10:41 remaining.
From there, the Falcons managed to pull ahead once again and even though the Bobcats tied the game several times, they were unable to pull ahead.
With GCSU trailing Montevallo with 5:41 remaining, a jumper made by Martin set the score at 47-46 and the Bobcats took the lead for the first time in the second half.
Once GCSU took control of the game, it kept the lead over the Falcons for the remainder of the game and held on for a nine-point win.
The leading scorer for the Bobcats was Martin, who tacked 25 points onto the scoreboard, he was 7-of-15 on field goals, including 2-of-7 on 3-pointers and was 9-of-10 on free throws.
“I feel like it was one of my better performances of the year,” Martin said. “I was not really in a good rhythm in the first half, so I was proud of myself for picking it up in the second half.”
Rios seconded that effort by scoring 10 points for the Bobcats.
GCSU sits atop the Peach Belt’s west division at 7-0 in conference play.
The Bobcats are at home tonight, taking on Francis Marion at 7:30 p.m.
“We’re playing an outstanding team, they’re one of the best rebounding teams in the country,” head coach Terry Sellers said. “They’re the kind of team that you can’t get by playing 20, 30 or 35 minutes, I think it’s going to take a good 40-minute game.”
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