RedHawks Move To 3-1 after Hard Fought Win Over Panthers

The SC Upstate Redhawks edged out a hard-fought 116-114 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday afternoon at Pearl Moore Gymnasium, closing strong in a game that remained tight from start to finish. Carolina came out aggressive early, taking a 27-23 lead after the first quarter behind efficient scoring and strong interior play. The Redhawks responded in the second, outscoring the Panthers 29-22 to take a narrow 52-49 advantage into halftime. Both teams traded blows in the third quarter, with Carolina slightly edging the period 32-31 to even things heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter delivered the intensity expected from two evenly matched teams. Both squads poured in 33 points in the final period, but SC Upstate’s consistency across the middle quarters ultimately proved to be the difference in a two-point finish. The Redhawks were led by a dominant performance from Joseph Battle, who poured in 38 points while shooting efficiently from the field. Kamin Bond (6'4''-G) added 24 points and provided a strong all-around presence, while Chuck McLaurin (5'11''-PG, college: CMU) contributed 19 points and controlled the glass with 14 rebounds. Justin McKinney (6'2''-G, college: CCC) chipped in 14 points and helped facilitate the offense, as SC Upstate shot an impressive 47.4% from the field and 40.0% from three as a team. Carolina was paced by Emmanuel Hughes (6'1''-G, college: Toccoa Falls), who led all Panthers with 28 points, while Thomas Olerich (6'6''-F) added 24 points, stretching the defense with perimeter shooting. Jaylen Quick (6'7''-C) recorded a strong double-double with 18 points and 21 rebounds, anchoring the interior, and Sidney Knox (5'10''-PG-1995, college: Bluefield) added 18 points while distributing the ball effectively. Christian Clegg also made his presence felt with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Despite Carolina winning the rebounding battle 63-49 and putting together multiple strong individual performances, the Redhawks’ efficiency and balanced scoring attack helped them secure the narrow victory. With the win, SC Upstate continues to build momentum, showing their ability to execute in tight games, while Carolina will look to regroup after a tough loss that came down to the final possessions.
Courtesy of: ECBL