MOBILE, Ala. – The Spring Hill College (SHC) men's basketball team opened the 2019-20 regular season on Friday night with a 90-80 non-conference loss to the Union University Bulldogs at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center in Day 1 of the annual Gulf South Conference (GSC)/Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Challenge.
The Bulldogs (1-0) led the Spring Hill 44-37 at halftime and a slow start out the locker room for the Badgers to begin the second half put them in a 19-point hole at 74-55 with 10:26 left on the clock. Strong defense and rebounding by SHC resulted in a furious late comeback attempt that found the Badgers down by just six at 82-76 with three minutes left to play.
Union would knock down the crucial free throws when they needed them and SHC could pull no closer.
SHC senior forward
Chase Shellman of Louisville, Ky. harnessed a double/double in his first outing of the campaign with 11 points and 10 rebounds while junior college transfer
Ron Rice, a junior guard from Harlem, N.Y. led the home team with 17 points. Sophomore guard
Jordan McIlwain of Atlanta, Ga. put 12 points in the baskets for SHC and senior guard
Dwight Harris of Americus, Ga. contributed 14 points.
SHC shot 41.2% (28-68) from the field and 36% (9-25) from 3-point range. The Badgers suffered 13 turnovers against seven steals by the Bulldogs, who also earned a 40-35 edge in rebounding. At the free throw line, SHC made 78.9% (15-19) of their foul shots.
Tyree Boykin of the Bulldogs led all scorers with 22 points while Lidonta Hicks-Gentry had 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench. Union shot 50.8% (32-63) from the floor and 36.7% (11-30) from 3-point distance while losing 16 turnovers to six Badger steals. The Bulldogs also completed 78.9% (15-19) of their free throw opportunities.
Before the SHC-Union game, the Lane College Dragons (1-0) took a 73-65 decision over the Shorter University Hawks (0-1).
The Badgers (0-1) continue play in the GSC/SIAC Challenge on Saturday night at the Arthur R. Outlaw Recreation Center when they face the Shorter Hawks at 8 p.m.
