CENTRAL, S.C. – The Lees-McRae College men's basketball team saw its season come to an end Tuesday night in the opening round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament as Southern Wesleyan knocked off the Bobcats by a score of 85-81. The loss closes out Lees-McRae's 2019-20 record at 18-11.
It was evident in the first few minutes of Tuesday's contest that the two teams were amped up for the conference tournament contest. The normally potent Bobcat offense was held to just 30 points in the first half. Lees-McRae did get solid production off the bench with 17 points. Seniors Jerick Haynes (seven points) and Jason Saintizaire (six points) provided most of that offense off the bench for Lees-McRae. Despite the efforts from Haynes, Saintizaire and the rest of the Bobcats, Southern Wesleyan took a 35-30 lead into the break for halftime.
Lees-McRae made several attempts against Southern Wesleyan to mount a comeback. The Bobcats, who trailed by as many as 11 points in the second half, were never able close the gap entirely against the Warriors. However, Lees-McRae was as close as two points with 2:31 to go after a three-pointer from Kamil Williams made it 73-71 Southern Wesleyan. Credit to SWU though as it went a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line over the final 2:31 to ice Tuesday's game and punch its ticket to the semifinal round.
Williams netted a team-high 22 points to lead the Bobcats on the scoresheet in his final collegiate game on Tuesday. Fellow seniors Haynes and Saintizaire finished the night in double figures with 17 and 10 point outings, respectively. Anthony Hicks was the only other Bobcat to reach double digits against the Warriors with 12 points.
Lees-McRae is scheduled to return a wealth of experience to the court when the team comes back for the 2020-21 campaign. The Bobcats will have to find a way to replace the production from the three departing seniors in Haynes, Saintizaire and Williams.
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