PENSACOLA, Fla. – Spring Hill College men's basketball picked up the first win of the
Craig Kennedy era on Thursday night, defeating Pensacola Christian College, 98-91. The Badgers were led by 64 points from its bench, including a season-high 25 points by
Gresyn Rogers and career-high 15 points for freshman
Justin Allison.
Pensacola Christian took a 10-point lead midway through the first half when Rogers grabbed a steal and scored on the other side – his first of 17 points through 13 minutes in the first half.
The Badgers went on a 19-8 run to take the lead, 32-31, on a Jeffrey Parr basket with 5:23 to play in the first half. From there, SHC outscored Pensacola Christian 17-8 to carry a 49-39 lead into halftime.
Spring Hill maintained its lead throughout the second half, fighting off the Eagles in the final three minutes. The Badgers led by 11 points, 91-80, with 2:43 to play when Pensacola Christian clipped off a basket and a pair of 3s to make it a one-possession game, 91-88, on a 3-pointer by Jared McCrillis.
Allison stopped the two-minute drought, hitting 3-of-4 free throws. Adam Poole hit a 3 to pull back within three with 28 seconds to play when Allison once again knocked down a pair of free throws, then came up with a steal and basket to ice the win.
Jordan McIlwain and Jeffrey Pharr each scored 12 points, with McIlwain leading the team in assists (6).
Quinn Sutton was the lone starter to score in double figures with 11 points.
McCrillis led Pensacola Christian with a game-high 28 points and Tyler Rose had 21. Poole with finished with 12 points. Ian Johnson and Dakota Pratt each scored 10 points apiece.
Spring Hill (1-2) will host former NAIA Southern States Athletic Conference foe and cross-town rival University of Mobile on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. in its home opener at Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center.
