Spring 2001

The Record Online

Spring/Summer 2001

Basketball Panthers Win Regional, Take 6th at Nationals

Regional Final is Thrilling 1-point Overtime Win at Home

GC Basketball The GC men’s basketball team accomplished a feat on its home floor March 6 that only one other men’s basketball team has tasted in 57 years of Panther Basketball—they punched their ticket to the NCCAA national tournament with an 80-79 overtime victory over Trinity Christian College.

The win allowed the Panthers to advance to the national tournament at Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, NC.

GC’s Demajo Clemens was the leading scorer in the regional final with 27 points. Mario Young added 24 for the Panthers.

Trinity tied the game at 72-72 with a three-pointer with 13 seconds remaining in regulation, and a jumper by the Panthers would not fall at the buzzer. In overtime the Panthers scratched out the victory by the slimmest of margins.

“I’m really proud of my kids because I felt like we had a tall order, but our players played with a tremendous amount of heart,” said Head Coach George Barber after the game. “It took an all-around effort.” Trinity had more size, but the Panthers worked hard to force 24 turnovers, converting them into 23 points.

They were not so successful, however, in the national tournament held March 15-17. The Panthers concluded their season with a 6th place showing at nationals, winning one of three games in Boiling Springs, NC. It was their best finish since becoming affiliated with the National Christian College Athletic Association.

The Panthers finished the season with an overall record of 16-13.

Last updated: July 17. 2001