Gaffney, S.C. - Southern Wesleyan fell to the Limestone Saints in an 83-80 final on Saturday afternoon. 

The Warriors shot 45.6% from the field in the first conference loss of the season. Clenzo Ross posted an impressive 26 points. He was followed by Solomon Smith with 15 points and Ta'Jay Dunlap with 10 points. Dunlap had five assists on the day to lead the team. Southern Wesleyan had 26 rebounds, led by Smith and Cameron Holmes with six apiece. Four Warriors had steals and two Warriors had blocks. 

Game Vitals

Final: Limestone 83, Southern Wesleyan 80

Records: Southern Wesleyan (6-4 / CC 3-1) Limestone (2-11 / CC 1-5)

How It Happened

Limestone scored first in the contest, but Cameron Holmes responded with a jumper to put Southern Wesleyan on the board. Each team traded baskets before the Warriors could take an 11-8 lead with shots from Solomon Smith and Ta'Jay Dunlap. Clenzo Ross extended the Warriors lead with a 3-pointer. The Saints continued to pressure the Warriors and tied the game at 19-19. A jumper from Dylan Spriggins would allow the Saints to take a 25-22 lead. Limestone pushed their lead as Southern Wesleyan fought to keep within reach on a layup from Smith to put the Warriors trailing by three, at 29-32. The Warriors would only get one more shot off in the first half, as the Saints led 42-31 at halftime.

The Saints struck first in the second half before Smith answered with a jump shot. Ross would make the next three shots for the Warriors as they trailed 39-53. A free throw from Dunlap would cut the Saints ten point lead to nine, but the Saints were able to regain their comfortable lead several times. Smith and Jalen Lowery would bring the Warriors within three points at 66-69 with less than five minutes remaining in the contest. Lowery's 3-pointer would put the Warriors on top at 72-71, but it was short lived with Limestone taking the lead after the following possession. Trailing by one with fourteen seconds left, the Warriors remained hopeful. Unfortunately, the Saints capitalized on a late pair of free throws to go on and win 83-80.

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will return home to host the Lees-McRae Bobcats on December 18 at 7:30 p.m. They will then travel to play the Catawba Indians on December 21 at 2 p.m.