News and Updates

SGSC Basketball Finishes With Split In Applebee’s Okefenokee College Classic

South Georgia State College’s men’s basketball team split its games this past weekend during the annual Applebee’s Okefenokee College Classic in Waycross. The Hawks (4-2) defeated Denmark Tech 94-83 Friday evening and dropped the Saturday afternoon game 73-71 to State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCF).

The Hawks opened the SCF game in a scoring drought, finishing with a total of six points in the first nine minutes. It didn’t take long for SGSC to create a 10-0 scoring run in the next three minutes to pull ahead 16-15. It was back-and-forth for the remainder of the first half as SCF went to the locker room leading 30-25.

In a game that featured six ties and seven lead changes, the Hawks found themselves with the ball and trailing 72-69 with 11 seconds remaining in regulation. SGSC had to settle for a two-point basket with 1.7 seconds left and fouled SCF in hopes of getting one more possession. SCF hit 1-of-2 free throws, but Skylar Baggs’ desperation shot at the buzzer fell short, giving SCF the win.

“I thought we battled (SCF), but we just couldn’t catch a break. The win against Denmark Tech was hard fought and tough. I thought we did a tremendous job of not getting rattled with all of (Denmark’s) pressure and the amount of three-point shots they took,” said head coach Cory Baldwin. “I thought overall the Classic was a success, because we got tested during both games.”

Keyshaun Street led the Hawks against SCF with 19 points and three assists. Charles Botchway had a complete game of 16 points, six rebounds, nine assists, and three steals.

The Hawks hit the road for four games before returning to Waycross Dec. 7-8 for the Chick-Fil-A Classic. General admission to all regular season home games is five dollars with children five and under admitted free.

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PHOTO: Luke Lawson drives for two points Saturday afternoon against State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota