By Chris Whitaker
The Americus Times-Recorder
GREENWOOD, S.C. - Adrian McLaurin scored 20 of his game-high 34 points in the second half as Hiwassee beat Georgia Southwestern 89-82 on Tuesday at Lander University.
Marcus Scott led GSW (4-6) with 22 points (9-of-15 from the floor), including 15 in the final eight minutes, and Chris Rawls and Evan Mobley had 19 (on 7-of-10 shooting) and 17 (7-of-9), respectively.
Both teams shot better than 51 percent in the game, but in the end, GSW coach Mike Leeder said it came down to poor defense ... again.
"We didn't defend either half," said Leeder. "We didn't guard, and we gave up a season-high in points. We turned it over way too much. It's the same stuff."
The loss snapped a 3-game win streak for GSW. Leeder said the Hurricanes had allowed 30 points or less in eight of the last nine halves until the second half of Monday's game against Lenoir-Rhyne.
Leeder said after GSW's home loss to Truett-McConnell, it became clear to him it will be hard for GSW to win in the Peach Belt Conference.
"It's going to be difficult to have success in the league playing the way we are right now," he said. "We're playing very poorly. We're very selfish on offense. When everybody gets the ball, they think it's their turn to make a play.
"We've got a lot of guys that are older and set in their ways. We've got to go out and make sure we recruit guys that fit in the way we want to play here."
GSW led by as many as seven in the first half before Hiwassee took a 37-36 lead at intermission. The Tigers led by as many as 14 in the second half, including a 71-57 lead with 7:30 left in the game.
The Hurricanes committed 20 turnovers, and the Tigers held a 26-12 edge in points off turnovers.
Shondre Guest added 19, and Rodriques Logan had 13 for Hiwassee (5-6).
GSW is off until Jan. 4, when it travels to USC-Aiken to open conference play.
Leeder hopes it won't be a long conference season.
"They've got to decide if they want to guard or not," said Leeder.
PICTURED: Evan Mobley
PHOTO BY: Chris Fenn