RALEIGH, NC – The William Peace University men's basketball team closed out the regular season with a 93-86 win over Greensboro College Saturday afternoon, as the Pacers played their way into a seventh-place regular season finish and a spot in next week's USA South Conference tournament.

WPU finishes the regular season 11-14 overall with a 6-8 mark in conference play.  Following an overtime win against Methodist earlier the week, the Pacers guaranteed themselves a spot with a win. They actually would have been in regardless the outcome due to Maryville's season-ending loss to Covenant, but the Pacers jumped 6-8 Averett for the seven seed by virtue of their two wins over the Cougars this year. The Pride ended up 15-10 overall with a 9-5 record in the USA South, good for a third-place finish.

"I told them we already played two tournament games last Wednesday and tonight, so we should be well versed with our backs against the wall and we're excited that our season isn't over yet," said head coach Claude Shields. "There were a number of times throughout the season we could have quit, so I'm really proud of this group. When you start 2-6 in conference it could've been easy to give up, but to bounce back and win four of your last six to get in – that's a big deal."

It was the Pacer's most efficient offensive performance of the year, as they shot a season best 53.6% from the field going 37-of-69. Greensboro wasn't far behind at 49.1% (28-of-57) from the field. The Pride made 10 more free-throws than WPU (21-11) and held a 40-34 edge on the glass, but the Pacers forced Greensboro into tough shots the entire game and turned them over 20 times for 27 points at the other end.

All 10 players that logged minutes for WPU scored at least four points, and three Pacers finished in double figures. Chris Thomas and Dakota King both scored 18 points to lead the way. Thomas also grabbed seven rebounds to go with two assists and a steal, while King added six boards, an assist and a blocked shot. Ryan Emfinger registered 11 points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal. Jalen Vince contributed nine points, four rebounds, five assists and a pair of steals. Sam Johnson did a bit of everything as well, notching eight points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals.

Coach Shields and the Pacers also recognized the program's first four-year senior class that includes Nate Strother, Terry Rogers and Tyquan Nolan. Strother finished with eight points, two rebounds an assist and a steal. Rogers chipped in with five points, one rebound, one assist and a steal. Nolan had four points, four rebounds and an assist.

Donavan Griffith and Simeon Howard led the way for the Pride with a pair of double-doubles. Griffith finished with 18 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a block. Howard recorded 15 points, 10 boards, an assist and a steal.  Joseph Gatling also had 17 points, four rebounds and two assists.

The seventh-seeded Pacers await an opening round matchup against the second-seeded Covenant College Scots this Thursday at 3:00 p.m.  WPU won't have to travel far. Top-seeded North Carolina Wesleyan will host the tournament in Rocky Mount. 

For the latest news and updates from William Peace University Athletics, please visit: http://gopeacepacers.com/.