GREENVILLE, Ill. - The men's basketball team recorded a 98-97 win over Webster on Saturday afternoon, getting a three-pointer from Sontiago Grady with 9.1 seconds remaining in the contest to erase a two point deficit and give the Panthers a slim lead that they kept to the conclusion of the game.
On Webster's final possession, they managed to drive to the right side of the free throw lane where they missed a short jumper, and Henry Johnson swatted the rebound out of bounds with one second to go. On the inbounds play, the Gorloks attempted an alley-oop that hit the standard of the basketball goal above the backboard, and Greenville was given possession. The Panthers were able to successfully inbound the ball and run out the final second.
Saturday's game marked the first time the Panthers won a game with less than 100 points since their "System" style of play was unveiled in 2015. The last occasion when the Panthers received less than 100 points and won a game was when they recorded 83 points in a home victory against Principia on February 17, 2015. The previous low point total in a win with "The System" was 105 points at Principia on February 10, 2018.
In addition, it was the first time the Panthers were held under 100 points since a Nov. 17, 2017 loss at Transylvania, ending a streak of 60 straight games with more than 100 points.
Grady ended as the leading scorer for Greenville with 24 points. He made 9-of-18 field goal attempts and went 6-of-12 behind the three-point arc.
Kameron Vinsel led the second unit with 17 points, Quincy Pinkard had 14 points, and Chris Jackson returned to the lineup with 13 points.
Greenville led by 17 with 2:40 to go in the first half and carried a 50-37 lead at halftime.
Webster chipped away at Greenville's lead throughout the second half, taking a slim 86-85 lead with 4:16 remaining and pushing the advantage to four at 91-87 with 2:43 to go.
After a Grady three-pointer made the score 91-90 with 1:49 to play, the game stayed within one possession until its finish.
Rakim Murphy was Greenville's top rebounder with nine caroms in the game, and Johnson was the leading assist man with five.
Jackson provided five steals, and Justin Cross had eight blocked shots.
The Panthers (3-5, 2-0 SLIAC) return to action at Fontbonne on Saturday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m. in the first game between the two teams since Greenville's 200 point outburst on Feb. 2 last year.