UMO men continue to struggle on basketball court

By UMO Media Relations
Published in Sports on January 18, 2016 1:49 PM

• Print
• Email

MISENHEIMER -- Talk about a familiar trope.

The University of Mount Olive men's basketball team -- once again beset by poor shooting and turnovers -- lost their second consecutive Conference Carolinas tilt Saturday evening, 87-71, to Pfeiffer University

Senior Dontrell Brite led the Trojans with 18 points. Tayon Gleaves provided nine points off the bench. Jamaal Matin scored seven points along with starter JaQuan Blount.

Extending its recent form, Mount Olive managed just four baskets in the opening 10 minutes, and shot only 30 percent in the first half. They committed 10 turnovers and the Falcons shot a blistering 62 percent from 3-point range to build a 52-29 halftime advantage.

And despite a determined rally, the opening half proved too much to overcome.

A Mykel Hart free throw -- the final salvo in a spirited 26-16 second-half Trojan run -- cut the deficit to 68-55. But a steal and subsequent layup by Pfeiffer's Andrew Guerrero settled any further attempt of a Mount Olive comeback.

Guerrero finished with a game-high 25 points and six rebounds.

For Mount Olive, the search for a complete effort lingers.

As noted following last week's home loss to Emmanuel (Ga.) College, head coach Joey Higginbotham said, "It's time for some of our guys to take a little ownership of this team -- and stop living in the past."

The Trojans play host to King (Tenn.) University on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.