MISENHEIMER, N.C. --- Freshman Mike Chambers posted his seventh 20-point game of the season while notching 24, but LMC couldn't dig out of a nine-point half time deficit while dropping a 95-90 decision at Pfeiffer in Merner Gym Saturday evening in Conference Carolinas action in Misenheimer, N.C.
The Falcons (5-15, 2-8 CC) saw Mike Smith go off for 25 points while the squad knocked down 10 3's, including seven in the first half. The Bobcats (6-13, 1-8) fell despite shooting 52.6% in the second half while Chambers (Winston-Salem, N.C.) notched double figures for the ninth consecutive game.
PU jumped out to a 27-11 lead after Smith and David McNair scored consecutive buckets at the 11 minute mark.
The Falcons would push the lead to 20, 41-21, following a Smith triple.
The Bobcats would respond with a 15-2 run while Chambers chipped in with five points and Josh Gaither (Statesville, N.C.) had four. Junior Jacquise Moore (Concord, N.C.) capped off the run with a rim-rattling dunk with 3:00 remaining.
Pfeiffer's Matt Ellwood would get in the mix with four made free-throws, a block and defensive board to send the game into intermission with PU leading 49-40.
LMC shot 36.8% from the floor, including 3-of-11 from 3-point range.
The Falcons AJ Clark would score seven of the team's first eight points of the second half while the home squad pushed the lead to 14, 58-44.
A Darius Malbon (Hickory, N.C.) jumper capped off a 10-2 run and a Gaither three, moments later cut the deficit to five, 64-59.
Junior Raul Tutton (Memphis, Tenn.) got in on the long range fun with a three and followed up with a bucket to keep the Bobcats within striking distance at the nine minute mark.
Darius Smith (Woodbridge, Va.) and Moore propelled LMC into the lead, 88-87 with 2:57 remaining.
Both teams exchanged buckets, but an Ellwood three at the 1:43 mark gave PU a lead it wouldn't relinquish.
The Falcons held LMC without a point over the last 1:55 while a pair of Clark free-throws salted away the game.
The Falcons Smith led all scorers while teammate Clark had 17 points and McNair nearly missed a double-double with nine points and 10 boards.
Tutton was a rebound short of a double-double and finished with 14 points. Chad Hicks (Winston-Salem, N.C.) finished with 11 points while LMC struggled at the line (16-for-29).
The Bobcats look to rebound when they host Limestone Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Williams Gymnasium. This is a rescheduled game from Wed. Jan. 29.
- LMC -
