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
