Coming into Saturday, the Chargers sat atop the GCAA standings as the regular season enters its final five games. Just 2-games behind the Chargers sat South Georgia State College, who were looking to make up ground as they visited the Corral.
Neither team played a very good game, as both teams combined for a total of 41 fouls and 27 turnovers. The Chargers were able to build a 42-37 lead at the end of the first half and were able to extend that lead to 10-points about halfway through the 2nd half. But the visiting Hawks fought back to take their first lead of the game with just 1:14 remaining in regulation. Missed field goals and made free throws followed for both teams to close out regulation in a 79-79 tie. The Hawks jumped out quickly in OT but the Chargers fought back to take a 1-point lead with 12.1 seconds remaining. That left South Georgia enough time to get off a shot which missed but they were able to grab the loose-ball rebound and get off one last shot at the buzzer which went in, giving the visitors an 89-88 victory over the Chargers.
Taj Fraley led the way for GHC with a game-high 27 points and 6 rebounds. Cahiem Brown added 16 points and 7 rebounds before fouling out with about 5 minutes left in the contest. Langston Wilson chipped in 10 points and grabbed a game-high 15 rebounds to round out the double-digit scorers for the Chargers.
The loss dropped the Chargers (19-6 overall, 10-2 GCAA) into a tie with Central Georgia Tech for the conference lead, with South Georgia State just 1-game behind those two teams. However, GHC still controls its own destiny in its quest for the 1-seed in the GCAA tournament. The Chargers have 4 conference games remaining, with the regular season finale on the road at Central Georgia Tech. Should they win out, GHC would be the 1-seed and in position to host the finals of the GCAA tournament where a trip to the NJCAA national tournament is on the line. Let’s make sure we come out and pack the Corral for the team’s remaining home games.
The Chargers will host Gordon State College this coming Saturday, February 22 at 4:00PM. This follows the final regular season home game for the Lady Chargers who host Lawson State Community College at 2:00PM. The men’s final regular season home game will be against East Georgia State College on Wednesday, February 26 at 7:30PM.
Taj Fraley led the Chargers with a game-high 27 points