Box Score Box Score
CLINTON, SC--Andre Jones scored a game-high 24 points and connected on a big 3-point field goal with 51 seconds left  in the game to lead Winthrop past Presbyterian College 59-56 Thursday night  in the Big South Conference opener for both schools.

Winthrop improves to 2-5 on the season while PC drops to 3-4.

"I've always said it comes down to a one possesion game whenever we play at PC," said Winthrop head coach Randy Peele.  "We were fortunate to come in here and get a victory."

While Jones hit the big shot in the final minute, it was the inside play of 6-9 reserve center Shola Diop that helped give Winthrop a cushion with 7:19 left in the game.  Diop connected on back-to-back buckets in the paint to give the Eagles their largest lead of the game at 49-42.  Jones scored 13 second half points as Winthrop broke away from a 27-27 halftime tie.  A layup by Jones put Winthrop ahead 41-35 with 11:47 remaining. 

But as it always seems to go at the Templeton Center when these two teams get together, the outcome is never decided until the final horn.  The Blue Hose refused to fold after falling behind by seven.  After missing its first 18 three-point attempts, Khalid Mutakabbir finally connected from the right corner with 2:04 left to play to cut Winthrop's lead to a single point at 52-51.  Matt Morgan worked himself loose inside for a layup to give the Eagles a 54-51 lead at the 1:40 mark, but  PC guard Pierre Miller, who missed his first six treys, then tied the game with a 3-pointer from the top of the key just nine seconds later to set up the eventual game-winning shot by Jones.

"He (Jones) made a tremendous play to even get the shot," said Peele.  "Andre is really, really good when the game is on the line."

Peele was most proud of the defensive effort his team made.  The Eagles held PC to 36.7 percent from the field (18-49) and 2 of 21 from behind the arc (9.5 percent).  Winthrop also limited the Blue Hose's leading scorer and preseason All-Conference pick A'Lonzo Coleman to eight points and only one field goal in two attempts.  He came into the game averaging 15.5 points per game. 

In addition to Jones' 24 points, Reggie Middleton reached double figures with 10.  Mutakabbir led the  Blue Hose with 14 while Jay Reynolds finished with 12.  The Eagles finished the game shooting 41.8 percent (23-55) and were 5 of 9 from 3-point distance.  PC made 10 more free throws (18-25) than did Winthrop which connected on 8 of 15.  The Blue Hose won the rebounding battle 37 to 32.  Diop and George Valentine pulled down six to lead the Eagles while Josh Clyburn came off the bench to grab  eight for PC.

"Defensively, we played Winthrop basketball tonight," said Peele.  "In the end of the game, we made some big stops.  The steal at the end  by Andre Smith was huge as Miller was trying to attempt a game-tying 3-pointer." 

Winthrop returns to action Saturday night when it travels to Gardner-Webb for a 7 p.m. game that will be televised live on MASN.