HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Ferrum College men's basketball team dropped a 78–61 decision to Georgia Southwestern State University on Saturday afternoon in day two of the Peach Belt - Conference Carolinas Challenge hosted by Coker University. The Panthers led 42–36 at halftime, but the Hurricanes used a dominant second half to pull away for the win.

RECORDS
Ferrum 0-2
Georgia Southwestern 2-0

THE BASICS
Ferrum, representing Conference Carolinas, controlled much of the first half and carried a 38–34 advantage into the locker room after late scores from Alfredo Abel-Rivera and Alan Kane.

The Panthers extended their lead early in the second half, but Coker, competing for the South Atlantic Conference, responded with a decisive offensive surge. The Cobras shot 57.1% from the field and 53.8% from beyond the arc after halftime to swing momentum and secure the win.

Ferrum executed well early on, shooting 43.8 percent from the field and converting 11-of-13 free throws to take a six-point lead into the break. Georgia Southwestern responded with a powerful second-half surge, outscoring the Panthers 42–19 behind 53.6 percent shooting and a 21–6 edge in fast-break points.

Gerren Jones paced Ferrum with 24 points, including three triples from behind the arc. Alfredo Abel-Rivera was 6 for 9 shooting, adding 15 points. Rodrigo Farias was the Panthers' other double digit contributor, scoring 11 points.

KEY STATS
Ferrum: Jones 24 pts; Abel-Rivera 15 pts, 6 reb; Farias 11 pts
Georgia Southwestern: Deonte Williams 18 pts; JR Jacobs 15 pts

UP NEXT
Coach Patrick Corrigan's team returns home on Thursday, November 20^, where they will face off against South Carolina Central Christian. Tip-off in Swartz Gym is at 7 pm.