SAU Men fall one point shy to J&W

LAURINBURG, N.C. - The St. Andrews University Men's Basketball team lost another heartbreaking game to non-conference foe Johnson & Wales University (N.C.) at home Monday evening falling 71-70.

After SAU got out to a quick lead at 9-4 before J&W started making threes to go on a run and eventually take a 44-37 halftime lead. The Wildcats made 7 threes in the first half shooting 54 percent from long range while SAU shot 43 percent but made just two threes.

The game featured numerous momentum changes as well as J&W continued their hot shooting in the second half taking their biggest lead at 55-39 with 16 minutes to go. However, SAU then picked up their intensity as they started creating J&W turnovers and making their shots going on a prolonged 31-8 run to lead 70-63 with 4:49 to play.

The game consisted of 11 lead changes and 7 ties as well.

Unfortunately, the Knights then went cold from the floor and missed a few free throws as J&W went on a game-ending 8-0 run to pick up the one-point win.

SAU forced 19 J&W turnovers while gaining 9 steals and outrebounding the Wildcats 39-32 and 14-8 on the offensive end. J&W finished the game shooting 45 percent, but 52.6 percent for three as they made ten threes. SAU shot 42 percent overall but just 33 percent from three.

Junior point guard Christian Lathan (JR/Fayetteville, NC) led the Knights with a team-high 17 points and a team-best 6 assists off the bench with a rebound and a steal as well. Junior guard Carlos Heath (JR/Rochester, NY) also shot the ball well scoring 12 points on 5 of 12 shooting and 5 rebounds.

Freshman forward Darius Huff (FR/Newport News, VA) played the most minutes for the Knights and led the team in rebounds with 13 for his season high while adding 6 points with an assist and steal. Junior guard Andrew Rodriguez (JR/San Juan, Puerto Rico) also played well with 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals.

Freshman forward Calvin Ahoume (FR/Cameroon, Africa) also added 7 points with 5 rebounds and a block while senior guards Jourdan Sanders (SR/Raleigh, NC) and Ben Twigger (SR/Concord, NC) combined for 12 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.

SAU falls to 3-17 overall while J&W improves to 6-13 overall.

The Knights are next in action on Saturday when they go on the road to face Reinhardt University (Ga.) at 2:00 PM.