RALEIGH, N.C. (Nov. 10) – Five players placed in double figures for Saint Augustine's University (SAU) in a back-and-forth game, but the Falcons fell 100-95 to Mansfield University in the Shaw Men's Basketball Classic on Sunday at Spaulding Gymnasium.
The non-conference contest featured 10 ties and eight lead changes. The Falcons (1-1 overall) led by nine around the six-minute mark but Mansfield converted a four-point play to get within 86-83.
The Mounties (1-1 overall) eventually pulled ahead 98-95 with 24 seconds remaining. After a timeout at the 13-second mark, the Falcons missed a three-point attempt and the Mounties hit two free throws with one second remaining for the win.
Both teams sizzled from the floor in the high-scoring affair. The Falcons shot 55.7 percent, including 41.7 percent behind the three-point arc. The Mounties made 57.1 percent of their shots, including 47.4 percent from three-point range.
Free throws ultimately decided the outcome. The Mounties made 27 of 38 free throw attempts and the Falcons were 17 of 20 from the charity stripe.
Donte Edwards (So./Durham, NC) led the Falcons with 20 points on 7 of 11 shooting including 6 of 8 from the three-point line. Gary Jefferson (Jr./Baltimore, MD) and Jalen Gaddy (Sr./Raleigh, NC) each added 19 points and Miguel Brown (Jr./Wilson, NC) chipped in 14 points. Marquie Clemonts (Jr./Weldon, NC) had 12 points and six assists.
Christian Simmons finished with 26 points and Trevor English added 23 points for the Mounties. Garrett Cook registered 20 points and Jahmir Green scored 11 points.
The Falcons trailed much of the first half, but surged ahead to take a 51-45 lead at the break. Brown scored 13 points, and Jefferson and Gaddy added 11 points and 10 points, respectively, in the first 20 minutes for SAU.
The Falcons play their home opener on Wednesday, Nov. 20, against the University of Mount Olive at Emery Gymnasium. Tipoff is 7 p.m.
