August 16, 2001

Santiago, Chile–A day away from the court on Thursday was just what the Winthrop basketball team needed as the rejuvenated Eagles bounced back to make history Friday night in the Catholic University Club Invitational Tournament.

Coach Gregg Marshall takes pride in talking about the number of "firsts" that the Winthrop program has accomplished during his previous three years. Now the Eagles can add another to that list as they became the first American team to win a game in the three-year history of the tournament as they defeated the host team 86-80 with five players scoring in double figures led by Pierre Wooten with 23 points. Rutgers and Bowling Green State failed to win a game in the first two years of the charity tourney which is held to raise funds to benefit a children’s dialysis center in Santiago.

The victory was a culmination of a strong shooting performance and strong second half defense that allowed the Eagles to build as much as a 17-point lead with 10 minutes left in the game. Wooten’s 15 second half points were a key in Winthrop’s surge that took it from a 46-46 halftime tie to a 74-57 lead with six minutes left in the game. However, a fierce comeback by Catholic University led by former East Carolina standout Chucky Robinson cut the lead to just five points at 77-72 with three minutes remaining.

Greg Lewis then came up with a big three-point play on a drive through the lane and followed that with a reverse layup to give the Eagles some breathing room with 2:21 left on the clock.

Lewis finished with 13 points and 12 rebounds.

Rock Hill product Lavar Hemphill turned in his best performance of the trip with 16 points, including four 3-point field goals. Also in double figures were Tyrone Walker with 12 and Ty Myers with 11, including nine in the first half.