PIRATES FALL TO BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN IN BATTLE OF FIRST PLACE TEAMS
Posted: Jan 30, 2010
GEORGETOWN, Texas – Southwestern shot just 54.5% from the
free throw line as they lost 59-67 to Birmingham-Southern in a
clash of the SCAC titans. The Pirates fall to 14-6 overall and 7-4
in the SCAC and out of first place momentarily to Austin College
who has yet to play their second game of the weekend. Birmingham
Southern remains at the top of the East with an 8-3 conference
record and 16-3 overall.
The first half began well-balanced with both teams scoring in
transition and hanging close through the opening three minutes, but
the Pirates kicked the door open with a 7-0 run over three minutes
to go up by seven, 13-6, with 16:42 to go in the half.
Southwestern hit a scoring skid as the Panthers came within two
points, 21-19, but Cox’s three-pointer as time ran out in the
first half gave Southwestern their largest lead of the half, 10
points, and they headed into the break up 35-25.
After halftime Birmingham-Southern held SU to just two field goals
in the first five minutes to bring the game even for just the
second time at 39-39 with 14:45 remaining. The Pirates retained the
lead until a pair of threes by Hart Ahumada gave the Panthers their
first lead since the opening minutes.
After junior Nick Caputo’s free throw tied the game for the
fourth time at 53-53, Southwestern hit a cold spell and BSC went on
a 9-0 over the next two and a half minutes to pull ahead by nine,
53-62, with 2:51 to play. Southwestern returned the favor by going
on a 6-0 run, thanks to missed free throws by the Panthers, and
pulled within three points 59-62 with 1:49 left on the clock.
SU’s good fortune ran out, however, as Birmingham-Southern
made five of their last six from the charity stripe to close out
the game.
Southwestern was led by junior Nick Caputo who had a game high 21
points in the loss. Junior Jonathan Brown chipped in 12 points and
led the team with 7 rebounds. BSC had a balanced attack with just
two players in double figures, Jasen Jonus with 12 and Aaron Parr
with 10. The Pirates did out-rebound the Panthers 32-29 but
committed five more turnovers, 15-10.
SU continues their homestand next weekend as they play host to
Millsaps on Friday night and Hendrix on Saturday. Both games are
slated to begin at 8:00 pm following women’s SCAC action.