WINSTON-SALEM, N.C.  – The Concord University men's basketball team led wire-to-wire in its season-opening 83-79 win over Winston-Salem State in the Winston-Salem Classic at the Gaines Center Friday night.
The Mountain Lions used a 16-5 run midway through the first half to turn a 12-8 lead into a sizeable 28-13 margin over the Rams.
During the run, junior guard
Aaron Miller hit two three-pointers while sophomore forward
Babe Murphy and senior guard
Rob Reed each hit a three. Additionally, junior guard
Michael Sanchez connected four of his game-high 15 free throws.
CU extended its lead to 42-22 after two foul shots from junior guard
Cam Shannon at the 4:10 mark, but Winston-Salem State was able to trim Concord's lead to 45-35 at halftime.
The Mountain Lions led by double-digit throughout much of the second half until WSSU cut CU's lead to single digits in the last minute of the game, however, Concord was a perfect 6-for-6 at the free-throw line in the last 37 seconds of the game as Miller, Reed and Sanchez hit two foul shots a piece to give Concord an 83-79 victory.
Reed finished with a team-high 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting and 3-for-5 from three-point land. Sanchez collected 15 of his 18 points at the charity stripe while Miller and senior forward
Jametrius Wade finished with 15 and 11, respectively.
Senior forward
Terry Hopewell tied his career-high with 16 rebounds against the Rams.
The Mountain Lions outrebounded Winston-Salem State 41-35.
Concord finished the game 28-for-33 from the free-throw line and was the first time since last season at Urbana CU has made 28 or more foul shots in a game.
Demone Harrison led WSSU with 21 points.
CU faces defending CIAA Tournament champion Livingstone 5:00 p.m. Saturday at the Winston-Salem Classic.
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