RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 23) – Tyre Gathright (Sr./Wilmington, NC) scored a game-high 23 points, but a late rally by Saint Augustine's University (SAU) fell short in a 59-56 men's basketball loss to Lynn University at the de Hoernle Sports & Cultural Center in Boca Raton, Fla., on Friday.
Gathright scored 13 points in the second half as the Falcons outscored the Fighting Knights 33-25. Trailing 34-23 at halftime, the Falcons closed within 57-56 on two free throws by Rashad George (So./Raleigh, NC) with 1:20 left.
The Falcons (2-3 overall) missed two opportunities to take the lead, but had a chance to force overtime. Down 59-56, the Falcons misfired on a desperation three-point attempt near midcourt as time expired after the inbounds pass was deflected.
D.J. Harrison (Sr./Winston-Salem, NC) added 12 points for the Falcons, who outscored the Fighting Knights 22-16 in the paint. Donte Edwards (Fr./Durham, NC) contributed eight points, four rebounds and three assists.
The trio of Darius Moore, Rasheed Worrell and Jamal Palmer each scored 12 points for Lynn (3-0 overall). Michael Baez grabbed 10 points for the Fighting Knights.
The Fighting Knights connected on 8 of 15 three-point attempts for 53.3 percent to build an 11-point halftime lead. They drilled six three-pointers to open a 23-9 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game.
The Falcons tightened up defensively in the second half. Rotating between a man-to-man and zone defense, they limited Lynn to 0 of 8 three-point shooting in the second half. They held Lynn to three field goals in the final 7:53 of the game.
The SAU men play their second game in two days on Saturday, Nov. 24, when they visit Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Tipoff is 4 p.m. at Rick Case Arena.
