Panthers pounce early, cruise to 84-62 win over Winthrop

 HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point University came out with fire and focus in the first half, jumping out to a commanding lead and never looking back in their 84-62 victory over Winthrop in a Big South showdown on Saturday. Despite both teams scoring 37 points in the second half, the Panthers' explosive opening 20 minutes, which saw them lead by as much as 22 points, proved to be the difference as they cruised to the win.

The Panthers stormed out of the gate, taking control early and building a 47-25 lead by halftime. High Point's offense was electric, with timely 3-pointers, aggressive defense, and strong rebounding leading the charge. Abdoulaye Thiam and Terry Anderson were sharp from beyond the arc, while Juslin Bodo Bodo’s presence in the paint was felt on both ends of the floor, grabbing 12 rebounds—including five offensive boards—and adding 10 points.

“Proud of the bench,” High Point coach Alan Huss said. “I thought in the first half Terry [Anderson] and Abdoulaye [Thaim] both gave us a really good lift off the bench. We are very fortunate to have guys like that that are capable on the bench.” 

Simon Hildebrandt’s crowd-energizing dunk late in the first half gave the Panthers the lift they needed, and their defense, led by Bodo Bodo and Kezza Giffa, kept Winthrop from mounting a sustained threat.

Despite High Point's dominance, Winthrop refused to go away quietly. The Eagles were able to score 37 points in the second half, matching High Point’s production, but their inability to find rhythm early in the game was too much to overcome. Talford, who finished with 13 points, and Isaiah Wilson made key contributions, but High Point's defense kept them from ever seriously closing the gap. High Point's balanced attack, coupled with their suffocating defense, allowed them to maintain their comfortable lead throughout the second half.

The Panthers’ defense, particularly Bodo Bodo’s work on the boards and Giffa’s playmaking, kept the Eagles from getting second-chance opportunities. A quick steal and assist from Giffa to Thiam for a 3-pointer sparked a surge to start the second half, and Bodo Bodo's thunderous dunk at the 7:00 mark pushed High Point’s lead to an insurmountable 76-50. Despite some late-game heroics from Winthrop’s K.J. Doucet and Kasen Harrison, the Eagles could not recover from High Point’s offensive onslaught.

High Point continued to assert its dominance in the final minutes. Giffa’s playmaking and clutch free throws sealed the victory as the Panthers held off any late push from Winthrop. Bodo Bodo’s second dunk of the game and a free throw with just over a minute remaining effectively sealed the win, as High Point cruised to an 84-62 victory.

Kimani Hamilton led the Panthers with 14 points, while Thiam finished with 12 points and three assists. Anderson and Giffa each added crucial points, with Anderson contributing 10 and Giffa orchestrating the offense with six assists. 

“He's [Anderson] still just a fraction of where he is going to be,” said Huss. He is a really versatile wing that is going to really give us another dimension to our team.”

The Panthers shot 54.5% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc, hitting timely shots when needed.

For Winthrop, Talford led the charge seven rebounds, while Wilson chipped in with nine points and four assists. However, the Eagles’ struggles around the rim and their inconsistency from long range (43.5% shooting overall and just 33.3% from three-point range) proved costly in their defeat.

“We've just got to continue to get better,” said Huss. “We have got to use this bye week next week to continue to address some of our deficiencies.”

With this dominant performance, High Point has made a statement in the Big South, proving that their combination of defensive intensity and offensive firepower can lead them to a win. The Panthers now look ahead to their next challenge as they prepare for a road matchup against Presbyterian next Saturday.