MARIETTA, Ga. – Southern Wesleyan didn't make a field goal over the final three minutes in a 71-67 loss to Southern Poly State on Thursday evening in Southern States Athletic Conference play.
The Warriors (9-7, 4-3 SSAC) broke the eighth tie of the game with 3:04 to play as Cameron Solomon netted a field goal to give SWU the 64-62 lead. Kenny Holmes and Solomon each made one of two free throws to push the lead to four at 66-62.
The Hornets (6-11, 2-5 SSAC) made a three to cut the deficit to one with 2:02 to play. After Mike Lieberman made the second of two free throws, Marcus Dortch hit his second three in less than a minute to give the Hornets a one point lead at 68-67. Holmes missed a three with just under a minute left and after Dwayne Bryant blocked a shot, the Hornets picked up the offensive rebound and converted to push the lead to three. The Warriors had two more chances but were unable to convert either one.
Southern Poly led by as much as 11 in the first half and held an eight point lead in the second half before the Warriors pulled the game back within reach. Seven of the eight ties came in the second half. Early in the second half The Warriors made an 8-0 run, as Holmes scored five of the eight points, to tie the game at 43-43. From that point neither team led by more than three points until Solomon's free throw gave the Warriors a four point lead with 2:31 to play, a span of nearly 13 minutes.
Holmes scored a game-high 20 points after sitting out Saturday's game against Loyola. The sophomore made 7-of-16 shots from the floor and all three of the team's three pointers. Healso grabbed six rebounds and had three assists in 38 minutes of action.
Cameron Solomon added 17 points with seven of those points coming from the foul line as he made a game-high 11 attempts. Terrance Hutchins added 12 points and six rebounds off the bench.
Marcus Dortch led three Hornets in double figures with 18 points, including the only two three pointers made for the team in the final moments.
The Warriors shot 43 percent overall while the Hornets came in at 42 percent. Both teams turned the ball over 15 times. Southern Poly out rebounded SWU 43-32.
The Warriors have the weekend off and return to the court next Thursday at home against Brewton-Parker at 8 p.m.
