Southern Conference Hoops

Hey all! Thanks again for reading. Just a quick recap of your favorite SoCon teams in action through the past week. I tried to also do some mid-week shoutouts and highlights but I don’t still quite know what my consistent format will be. Suggestions always welcome!

1. East Tennessee State (5-1). Two more wins this week for the Buccs this week as they continue to look like the strongest team in the SoCon. A 15 point home win against Morehead State on Friday, and then wrapping up the weekend with a blowout win against UL Monroe. In the win against Morehead, four starters scored in double figures, with Taylor and Morris both getting over 20 and McCullum adding 13 and 14 rebounds. ETSU was able to empty the bench in their game Sunday against ULM, with 13 players seeing minutes. Smith off the bench added 15 points on 6-8 shooting and dished out 5 assists. 
2. Wofford (4-2). Two more wins for Wofford this week continues the good momentum, including a home win against North Florida in the ASUN/SoCon Challenge, and a dominant win against division II Erskine at home on Friday. Holmes continues to lead the Terriers in scoring, putting up 21 and adding 9 rebounds and 3 assists, not to mention 3 steals and 2 blocks in a fantastic overall game. Freshman Chace Watley had a season high 16 points off the bench, hitting 7-8 field goals. 
3. Mercer (3-2). Winning their only game this week, the Bears improved to 3-2 with a solid road win against Eastern Kentucky 95-83 in the ASUN/SoCon Challenge. All five starters put up double figures and senior transfer from Syracuse Kyle Cuffe Jr added 12 off the bench, shooting a perfect 3-3 from three. Mighty had his second double-double of the season, with 18 and 12. Sophomore Quinton Perkins II led the scoring with 20 points which was his season high. Mercer shot a very impressive 57% from three in the win. 
4. Chattanooga (3-3). Two more wins added to the resume this week for UT-Chattanooga. First a mid-week win on the road at SC State, followed by a home win on Saturday in the ASUN/SoCon Challenge 71-57 against Northern Alabama. The Mocs had a balanced attack in the win against SC State, with Frison leading the way with 17 points, and Washington Jr putting in 16. Frison always added 5 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals. Senior Makai Richards came off the bench and snagged six boards. In Saturday’s win, senior guard Billy Smith, a transfer from Bellarmine, led the way with 18 points, all from 3, and grabbing 5 rebounds. While Washington Jr didn’t have his normal scoring numbers, he still contributed, leading the team with 10 rebounds. Freshman Tate Darner scored 10 off the bench.
5. Furman (3-3). Furman started the week with a demolishing of Ohio Christian, winning at home by 55, and followed up that positive momentum with an 11 point home win 90-79 against Queens in the ASUN/SoCon Challenge. Against Ohio Christian, sophomore Clemson transfer guard Asa Thomas led the way with 22 points and 7 rebounds. Johnston always added 15 points and 11 rebounds. In the win against Queens, five players scored in double figures in a very balanced effort. Wilkins continues his impressive start to his college career, leading the Paladins in scoring, and putting up 23/5/7 in the win. With 14 points and 13 rebounds, Johnston has double doubles in five of his first six games. Bowser also added an impressive 17 points, his season high. 
6. Western Carolina (3-3). The Catamounts got a mid-week win over UNC Asheville, but dropped a tough one Saturday on the road, 83-62 to Lipscomb in the ASUN/SoCon Challenge. The 29 from Stansberry led the way, and freshman Tahlan Pettiway helped in the win, adding 12 points off the bench. WCU won the battle of the boards, out-rebounding UNCA 43-28. The weekend game was lopsided from the jump, with Lipscomb taking the lead and never looking back. Soumaoro, Stansberry, and freshman guard Tahlan Pettway all scored in double figures, and 7’ sophomore transfer from Denver Abdulai Fanta Kabba did his part, pulling down 9 rebounds.
7. Samford (3-4). A tough week for Samford, dropping both their games including a home loss 77-62 to FGCU in the ASUN/SoCon Challenge, then two days later on the road by 9 to New Mexico State in the Cancun Challenge. Earlier in the week at home, Booth put up an outstanding 27 points, with Faulkner adding 14 points and 7 rebounds. The Bulldogs played a tough NMSU team on Friday and stayed with them most of the game. Sophomore transfer guard Kam Martin from Long Beach State came off the bench and played 22 minutes, scoring 17 and grabbing 5 boards in by far his best game of the year so far. Another solid contributor was sophomore guard Zion Wilburn who added 15 points and 3 rebounds. 
8. VMI (3-4). Playing on the road in both games this week, VMI got beat up by Richmond early in the week, losing by 33, and then over the weekend lost in the ASUN/SoCon Challenge to Stetson, 99-80. Against the undefeated Spiders, the team had a tough shooting night, only shooting 37% from the field. Off the bench though, sophomore guard Jaylen Pazon came in and put up 14 in 19 minutes. In the Keydets loss to Stetson, TJ Johnson scored 20 as he continues to lead the team in scoring. Clark recorded his first double double of the season with a 12 and 11. 
9. The Citadel (2-3). Only one game this week, The Citadel got an easy win 70-57 against North Greenville, jumping out to a 14-0 lead to start the game. 13 players saw time in the game, with contributions across the board. Gonzales continues to shine off the bench, scoring 20 points and adding 4 rebounds and 3 assists. Keynan Davis and sophomore guard Eze Wali also scored in double figures. 
10. UNCG (1-5). A close loss on Thursday on the road in the AUN/SoCon Challenge, UNC Greensboro lost 101-94 to Queens. UNCG was within 10 the entire game, but just couldn’t cut it any closer. Six players scored in double figures though, including all five starters, and junior forward Domas Kauzonas off the bench. Freshman guard KJ Younger led the Spartans with 22, his season high, on 7-9 shooting. Ending the week with a reason to celebrate, UNCG came from behind, down 18 at halftime, to get their first win, 68-62 against Youngstown State in the Jacksonville Classic. Continuing to lead the team this year in scoring, Neely put up 16 points to go with an impressive 16 rebounds and added 3 assists and 3 steals. Freshman guard Noah Norgaard from Denmark scored a season high 9 points off the bench, playing 24 minutes.