High-scoring Pfeiffer next for top-seeded Trojan men

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on March 5, 2010 1:46 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- The only thing missing on the hardwood court at Kornegay Arena this evening will be a net.

The Conference Carolinas men's semifinal-round basketball game will undoubtedly resemble a tennis match -- a break-neck, back-and-forth pace that might cause you to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor next week.

If you've got a neck brace, bring it.

If you're wearing a pacemaker, stay home because you might not be able to handle the heart-stopping, nail-biting atmosphere that's defined this series over the last decade.

"It's going to be a show," said MOC head coach Joey Higginbotham after Monday's lopsided victory over eighth-seeded Coker. "You can expect an up-and-down pace because that's how Pfeiffer likes to play."

No kidding.

The fourth-seeded Falcons have topped the 100-point plateau in 15 games this season and emerged victorious in 11 of those contests. Two of the high-scoring losses have come against the top-seeded Trojans, who have yet to suffer defeat at home this season.

Pfeiffer has its own "Big 3" -- junior Chris Woods, senior James Crowder and junior Jeff Pettiway. The trio has combined to average nearly 60 points this season, and Woods is among the conference leaders with 22.3 points an outing.

"It's going to be a very exciting game to watch," said Higginbotham. "We are going to have to take care of the basketball, rebound and take advantage of the opportunities they give us on the offensive end.

"We are expecting a barn-burner tonight."

Mount Olive, ranked No. 3 in the Southeast Region, expects to counter with all-time leading scorer Kendrick Easley, Mike Holloman, Craig Hayes and Brandon Allen. Easley set the single-game, school-scoring record against Pfeiffer two months ago. Holloman missed the overtime road win at Pfeiffer due to an injury.

Allen and Hayes have developed into threats on the perimeter.

The Falcons lead the series 20-12 since 1998, however, the Trojans have triumphed in eight of the last 11 meetings.