Over the winter break, the UNCP men’s basketball team played a total of ten games, including eight PBC conference games.
The Black and Gold ended winter break play with an 8-2 record (6-2 PBC) between the dates of Dec. 14 – Jan. 16 and extended their overall record to 14-5.
The Braves played eight conference games over the break; winning six out of the eight games. The team also played six home games and four away games.
The team started the games with a four game winning streak, where the Braves won their first two match-ups by over ten points and won the other two games by under eight points.
The Braves won their first PBC matchup game over the winter break when they played Clayton State, to beat the Lakers 81-74.
The Black and Gold later had a two game losing streak, losing by only less than three points in two match-ups.
The two losses for the Braves came from two PBC conference games, Augusta and Columbus State. The Braves lost to Augusta 78 to 80 and Columbus State 88 to 91.
The game against Augusta was a tough loss for the Braves, losing 78 to 80 with only 6.9 seconds left in the game with a pair of free throws from Jaguars Keshun Sherrill.
The Braves also fell to Columbus State with less than two minutes in the game with once again another pair of free throws, but this time by the Cougars Jacori Payne.
The Black and Gold bounced back, ending their winter break games with a four game winning streak, beating PBC leader North Georgia 89-71.
The Braves likewise ended their winter break play with six straight PBC conferences games, stretching their overall conference record to 7-3.
During the game, the Braves shot a season best of 54.5 percent from the field, while four players finished with double-figure scoring.
Brandon Watts lead the Braves with 15 points, while Andrew Evans, James Murray-Boyles, and Nigel Grant combined for 37 points.
The Braves will be at home for conference play when they host Armstrong State on Jan. 28th on Lumbee Guaranty Bank.
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