Peak wins Big South, school’s first NCAA quote

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn.– Bobby Pettiford scored 17 points off the bench and Peak rallied from a 15-point 2nd half deficit to defeat Winthrop 81-69 in the Big South Champion title game on Sunday, providing the Panthers their first trip to the NCAA Tournament.Winthrop led by 10 points at

halftime and 48-33 with 15 minutes remaining. Pettiford nailed a 3-pointer and followed it with a layup to begin a 14-0 run that got High Point within 48-47. Three and a half minutes later on, Trae Benham’s three-point play broke a 52-all tie and Peak led for the first time given that it was 14-13. The Panthers (29-5 )led the remainder of the way although Winthrop was within 75-69 with a minute to go. However, the Eagles did not score once again and the Panthers went 6-for-6 from the free-throw line to liquidate their very first Big South Championship title. Peak has won the Big South routine season title 6 times.Editor’s Picks 1 Associated The Panthers’14th straight win was due in large part to 50 points from their bench, 44 in the 2nd half. In addition to Pettiford’s 17

points, Abdoulaye Thiam had 12 points, Benham had 8 points and 10 rebounds, and Terry Anderson added eight points. Kezza Giffa, who scored 16 points, was the only starter with more than six points.Winthrop(23-11)had five players reach double-digits in scoring. Kelton Talford led the Eagles with 15 points, followed by Bryce Baker with 11, Nick Johnson with 11, Kasen Harrison with 10 and

K.J. Doucet with 10 points to opt for nine rebounds.