MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. -- Four of the five starters for the 3-seeded Georgia Southwestern men's basketball team scored in double-digit points as they cruised to a 75-56 semifinal win in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament over Georgia College Thursday night.
In their fifth PBC Tournament appearance, the Hurricanes controlled the entire game. This was the third meeting of the season between both teams as GSW came up on top.
How It Happened: One minute into the opening quarter, a short jumper by Donte Tatum put the Hurricanes on the board for a 2-0 lead. GC tied the game on the following possession but Kahlon Whitley responded with a deep three to keep the lead. A layup by the Bobcats cut the score to 7-6 but Whitley hit another three-pointer that led to a 7-0 run for GSW as they took a 14-8 lead midway through the first half.
While exchanging scores, a layup by Tatum with 6:37 left in the first half gave GSW their first double-digit lead of the game as they led 22-11. The Bobcats then went on an 12-4 run, that saw them cut into the Hurricanes lead, trailing by three points with 4:20 remaining in the half. Whitley's last three-pointer of the game came in the right time as it gave GSW some breathing room. It sparked a short 7-0 run right into halftime that saw the Hurricanes take a 33-23 lead.
A three-point play by Tatum started off the second half for GSW as they expanded the lead but GC never settled. They bolstered with a 7-0 run that saw them cut their deficit to 36-30 just three minutes into the final half. Devon Higgs responded with a layup that sparked a 16-1 run for the Hurricanes as they took a 21-point lead, 52-31, with 11:34 left in the game.
The Hurricanes dominated and controlled the remaining half of the game while keeping double-digit lead. With 4:01 remaining, GSW took a commanding 27-point lead, 73-46. The Bobcats continued to score as time ran down, cutting their deficit to 19 points as GSW won, 75-56.
GSW turned in their best shooting performance the line. They only missed one free throw, finishing 15-of-16 (93.8 percent) and shot 28-for-51 (54.9 percent) from the field. GC finished 9-for-14 (64.3 percent) and 21-for-67 (31.3 percent), respectively. GSW also controlled the paint, owning a 40-32 points in the paint battle but they lost in the rebound category as GC out rebounded them 38-33.
Who Stood Out: Tatum led the team with 18 points and seven rebounds followed by Whitley, who finished with 15 points and two assists. Jarrett Adderton added 12 points and a team-high four steals with five boards while Higgs finished with 11 points and a team-high nine rebounds.
GC was led by Luke Chism who finished with 10 points. Chapin Reirson and Wesley Simpon both added nine points for the Bobcats.
Up Next: The Hurricanes will play No. 10 Flagler in the PBC Championship game on Sunday, March 7. Tipoff is at 4 p.m.
The winner of Sunday's PBC Championship game will receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Georgia Southwestern is ranked #6 in the poll but should move up following the win over GC. Flagler is ranked #1 in the region.