William Peace WPU 14-13,8-6 USA South

Mary Baldwin MBU 16-10,11-3 USA South

William Peace WPU

14-13,8-6 USA South

Final

Feb. 22, 2024

Mary Baldwin MBU

16-10,11-3 USA South

Score By Periods
Team	1	2	F
William Peace WPU	27	32	59
Mary Baldwin MBU	26	40	66

Summary
Box Score

Jerrell Jordan

Beau Bryant Led The Pacers With 18 Points and 9 Rebounds

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | 2/22/2024 10:10:00 PM | WPU Athletic Communications

Pacers Nearly Complete Rally In USA South Semifinal Loss

STAUNTON, Va. – No. 4 seed William Peace nearly rallied from a 13-point deficit in a 66-59 men's basketball loss to top seed Mary Baldwin in the USA South Tournament semifinals Thursday (Feb. 22) at the Physical Activity Center.

The Pacers (14-13 overall) posted back-to-back winning overall records for the first time in the 12-year program history. They were making their second straight appearance in the USA South semifinals.

Trailing 44-31 early in the second half, the Pacers put together a 20-8 run to close within one point. Malachi Borders scored a layup to bring the Pacers within 52-51 with under five minutes remaining.

Borders later nailed a three-pointer to pull the Pacers within 56-54 with 3:33 left. The Pacers had a chance to either tie or take the lead after a missed Mary Baldwin jumper but committed a turnover on the possession.

The Fighting Squirrels (16-10 overall) pushed their lead to 60-54, but Beau Bryant's three-pointer cut the margin in half around the 1:30 mark. Mary Baldwin missed a three-pointer but grabbed the rebound and scored for a 62-57 lead. The Pacers would get no closer.

Bryant tallied 18 points and nine rebounds to lead three Pacers in double figures. Michael Dulin finished with 13 points and seven rebounds and Timothy Pettiford had 11 points and eight rebounds.

The Pacers nearly knocked off Mary Baldwin despite shooting 36.4 percent, including 4 of 21 for 19 percent behind the three-point arc. The Fighting Squirrels shot 42.1 percent including 7 of 21 threes for 33.3 percent.

Free throws kept the Pacers in contention. They made 15 of 19 for 78.9 percent.

The first half was a defensive battle as neither team found their offensive rhythm early. Consecutive three-pointers by Bryant and Dulin gave the Pacers a little breathing room at 17-12. The Pacers stayed ahead the rest of the half, taking a 27-26 lead into the halftime break.

Bryant started the second half with a layup for a 29-26 lead but Mary Baldwin responded with an 18-2 run to open a 13-point lead, setting the stage for the Pacers' rally.

This was the final contest for six Pacer seniors – Bryant, Pettiford, Borders, Donolique Tyrell, Tim Aydlett and Tyler Parton. The Pacers reached the USA South title game, made two league semifinal appearances and won 32 games in two seasons with this group.

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