'Canes dominate the boards, cruise to second straight win

'Canes dominate the boards, cruise to second straight win

The Georgia Southwestern men's basketball team picked up their second consecutive win with an 88-58 victory over Clearwater Christian College at the Storm Dome on Saturday afternoon.

GSW dominated the boards, pulling down 22 more rebounds (48-26) than CCC.  

Southwestern struggled early against the Cougars, as the lead changed hands ten times in the first half. Clearwater Christian held a three-point lead (28-25) with 2:44 remaining. From that point it was all GSW. The Hurricanes closed the half on a 7-1 run and led 34-29 at the break.

A Ric Roderick three-point basket at the 14:09 mark of the second half capped a 15-4 run to give the home squad a 16-point lead.  

The teams played even over the following six minutes before a 17-4 run, capped by back-to-back three-pointers from Matt Mendell, put the game out of reach (77-48) with 4:20 to go.

GSW shot 54.8 percent in the second half and finished 48.3 percent (29-of-60) for the game.

Clearwater Christian was held without a three-point basket (0-for-9) and finished the game shooting 38.6 percent (22-of-57).

Rawls, who was near-perfect from the floor (9-of-11), led the Hurricanes with game-highs in points (21) and rebounds (9). Marcus Scott added 15 points and seven boards.

George Youstra matched Rawls with 21 points to lead Clearwater Christian (2-6). Lonzo Saunders chipped in 12 points.

The 30-point margin of victory is the largest by GSW since November 18, 2008, when the Hurricanes defeated Carver Bible, 103-68.

GSW (3-5) returns to action on December 28, at the Lander University New Year's Classic, with a 5:00 p.m. game against Lenoir-Rhyne.

 

PICTURED: Will Kenimer

PHOTO BY: Chris Fenn