Two Reach 20 Points But Men's Basketball Falls at Greenville

GREENVILLE, IL -- The Blackburn College Men's Basketball team visited Greenville University for St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action but were unable to bring home victory as the Beavers fell to the Panthers 124-110. 

Senior Izayah Talmadge posted a new career high with 31 points, including an 18-23 performance from the foul line, to lead all scorers. He also tallied eight rebounds and seven assists. Sophomore Darius Duff notched 21 points for the first time of his Blackburn career to aid the BC offensive effort. Sophomore Cameron Johnson added 13 points while senior Zach Kelsey and freshman Odis Grissom both chipped in with 12 points.  Senior Brody Barr notched seven rebounds. 

The fast-paced game saw Greenville jump out to a 9-2 lead early, but Blackburn answered with a 17-2 rally. Bar started the run with a free throw followed by a Duff layup. Owen Walter then added a nother layup before a Johnson layup to make it 9-9 five minutes into the game. Sophomore Tyson Johnson soon followed with back to back layups before two Duff free throws and two layups to give Blackburn a 19-11 lead with 12:24 to go in the half. 

This time Greenville rallied back and pulled ahead 33-21 just three minutes later. The teams would continue to trade baskets throughout the half, with Blackburn able to chip into the deficit and get within six points multiple times, but the Beavers were unable to get closer as they faced a 61-52 deficit entering halftime. 

Out of the break, the conference leading Panthers would take control and pushed out to a double-digit lead which Blackburn was unable to break on the way to the Panthers collecting a 124-110 win. 

BC falls to 4-6 in the conference but still remain in contention for a SLIAC Conference Tournament spot. Greenville improves to 8-2 in the conference. Blackburn returns to action Thursday where they will host Spalding University in continued SLIAC play.