Free throws, solid rebounding keep Wofford afloat at Presbyterian

Wofford took its first lead over Presbyterian midway through the first half and never gave it up in a 68-58 victory.

Not at easy as it sounds.

The Terriers (2-3) opened Saturday's contest on poor footing, turning the ball over in each of its first four possessions. However, Wofford quickly corrected the problem and began shooting effectively; Terrier ball handlers enjoyed a period of over thirteen minutes in the first half without a turnover, and Wofford had a lead before the game's second media timeout.

Spencer Collins shot two of his four three-pointers in the first half, and Wofford went to the locker room with a comfortable 34-22 advantage at halftime.

Wofford entered the second half ice cold, not recording a field goal until nearly four-and-a-half minutes had ticked past. Presbyterian took advantage of the drought by trimming the Terrier lead to as low as four points before Justin Gordon slipped in the bucket with 15:33 remaining in the game.

After Gordon's bucket, Wofford shooters missed seven of the next eight field goal attempts and the Blue Hose continued to saw away at the deficit, coming within three points. During that period of darkness, the visitors only stayed ahead by coming through at the free throw stripe. Wofford finished a strong 26-34 from the line.

While free throws may have been the Terriers' ultimate saving grace, it was actually a missed free shot that jostled momentum back in Wofford's favor.

Only ahead by four points with 4:26 left on the clock, things looked uncertain for the Terriers when both of Jaylen Allen's free throws rimmed out. C.J. Neumann, however, muscled in an excellent offensive rebound to keep the possession alive and found a wide-open Collins behind the arc.

Collins added another three a few trips later and finished the game with a team-high 21 points.

Wofford otherwise weathered the storm by sinking nine of their last eleven free throws. The Terriers also out-rebounded the Blue House 28-24 on the defensive glass and 7-4 offensively. Wofford was led in total rebounding by sophomore Cam Jackson (7) and Collins (6).

Amazing what free throws and strong rebounding can do for a basketball team.