University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Golden Eagles Drop Opener In Gazette Hawkeye Challenge
12/3/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
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Golden Eagles Drop Opener In Gazette Hawkeye Challenge
IOWA CITY, Iowa -- Southern Miss and Head Coach Larry Eustachy's return to Iowa didn't go as planned as the Golden Eagles fell 79-78 to UNC Greensboro in the final seconds in the opening game of the Gazette Hawkeye Challenge here at Carver Hawkeye Arena.
UNC Greensboro's Ricky Hickman sank one of three free throws with 0:01 remaining to give the Spartans the win.
Southern Miss dropped to 3-2 on the season with the loss, while UNCG improved to 4-1. The Eagles now await the loser of tonight's second game between Iowa and Centenary for the consolation matchup, set for a 5:45 p.m., Saturday tip-off. The Spartans advanced to the title game.
Solomon Brown paced Southern Miss with a career-best 25 points, while making 5-of-7 3-pointers, while grabbing eight boards. Jasper Johnson added 19 points and finished with a team-best nine rebounds. Michael Ford also scored in double figures, chipping in with 13.
UNCG had two players score 20-plus points on the night, led by Hickman's game-high 29. Ronnie Burrell added 27, while Kyle Hines had a 10-point outing. Burrell also had a game-high 10 rebounds.
Due to conflicts with Saturday's football game against Cal, the basketball broadcast will be heard on WKZW-FM, 94.3. Ken Berthelot will again call the action, and the Golden Eagle Courtside Show is set to begin 30 minutes prior to tip-off.