CHICAGO, Ill. - The men's basketball team continued their strong non-conference schedule with a game against Hope who received votes in the first NCAA Division III national poll. The Panthers led by as many as 11 but fell 139-129 in a first round game at the North Park tournament.
Greenville held a 68-61 lead at halftime, and Hope came back in the second half to erase what eventually amounted to an 11-point Greenville advantage in the opening moments of the second half. Hope joined Loras as early season GU opponents who received votes in the opening national poll.
Johari Dix and Eric Williams finished at the top of the stats sheet for Greenville with 23 points.
Four other Panthers recorded 12 or more points - Isiah Price, 15; Josias Parker, 14; Marvin Bateman, 13; and Rakim Murphy, 12.
Dix led Greenville with four steals as the Panthers forced Hope into 30 turnovers. Dix also added five assists.
Williams, Parker, and Justin Cross were Greenville's leading rebounders with five each.
The Panthers (0-3) face North Park on Saturday in the consolation game of the NPU tournament.