Trojans Snap Three-Game Losing Streak With 79-59 Win Over Limestone; Matin Eclipses 1,000 Career Points

Photos by Willis Brown
Photos by Willis Brown

GAFFNEY, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive men's basketball team defeated the Saints of Limestone College 79-59 on Wednesday evening in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action at Timken Center in Gaffney, S.C. Redshirt senior Jamaal Matin led the team with 20 points and eclipsed the 1,000 career point mark.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Mount Olive 79, Limestone 59
Records: Mount Olive (7-12, 6-4), Limestone (10-9, 4-5)
Location: Timken Center | Gaffney, S.C.

How It Happened
Play-by-Play

FIRST HALF

  • Cameron Robinson got the Trojans on the scoreboard first with a layup approximately a minute into the game.
  • Limestone took a 3-2 lead that was short lived as the Trojans went on an 11-0 rally over four minutes to take a 10-point, 13-3 lead at the 16-minute mark.
  • UMO saw its lead grow to 16 points as the clock ticked towards 12:30 remaining in the first half following a three-pointer by Robinson that put the score at 23-7.
  • By the 8:30 mark, Mount Olive had taken a 20-point lead over the Saints, 32-12, following a made free throw from Don Pigford.
  • The Trojans took a 30-point lead, 46-16, after Tanner Poole sunk a layup off the Robinson assist with 2:24 remaining in the opening 20.
  • Sean Larimore gave the Trojans a little extra by scoring on a turn around jumper that put UMO ahead 48-16 as the teams entered halftime.

SECOND HALF

  • Limestone came out of the break scoring 11 points to cut the UMO lead to 48-27 through three and a half minutes of action.
  • A layup by Robinson halted the Limestone drive and sparked Mount Olive's scoring in the second half.
  • The Trojans controlled the remainder of the game not allowing the Saints to come any closer than 16 points as the Trojans emerged victorious with a 20-point 79-59 road win.

KEY STATS

  • Jamaal Matin led the Trojans with 20 points and was a rebound shy of a double-double. Matin surpassed the 1,000 point mark with his performance tonight needing 18 points heading into the contest.
  • Cameron Robinson, Alan Treakle, and Don Pigford each added double-digit performances as they tallied 15, 14, and 12 points respectively.

COACHES COMMENTS

"It was a great team win. The team executed the game plan to perfection in the first half. The staff and I are very proud of them," said head coach Joey Higginbotham.

He continued saying, "I am so excited for Jamaal. He has worked extremely hard and is our backbone. He is the definition of hard work. He deserves this accomplishment as much as any player I've ever coached. He will join the list of a lot of great players that have accomplished 1,000 points in a career."

UP NEXT

Mount Olive returns to Kornegay Arena for a Saturday doubleheader as the Warriors of Southern Wesleyan come to town for Conference Carolinas competition. The men's game tips off around 4 p.m. or 30 minutes following the conclusion of the women's game that begins at 2 p.m.