Late rally lifts Savannah State to 59-57 win over Campbell

SAVANNAH, Georgia – Savannah State closed the game on a 13-0 run to rally for a 59-57 win over visiting Campbell Monday at Tiger Arena.

The Camels (1-1) had a chance to win when Kyre' Hamer's 3-point from the right corner almost went down, but rimmed out.

Christopher Martin led Savannah State (2-0) with 17 points, including what proved to be the difference – a turnaround jumper in the paint with 23.1 seconds left.

Lenjo Kilo added 10 points for the Tigers, but missed two foul shots to give the Camels a final shot.

Chris Clemons led the Camels with 13 points before fouling out with 2:31 to play. Shane Whitfield added 12 points for the Camels, who led 57-46 with 4:46 remaining, but went 0-of-6 from the line down the stretch.

Campbell built a double-digit lead thanks to a 12-2 run midway through the final half. Trailing 37-35with 13:05 to go, Curtis Phillips started the rally with a bucket and Whitfield scored twice in transition. Troy Harper made four free throws and the Camels led 49-39 with 7:52 to go.

Harper drew a charge and later hit two more from the line for CU's 11-point edge. Casey Wells made his only two baskets of the night – both 3-pointers – in the final surge for the Tigers, who shot 50 percent in the second half (11-22), 38 percent on the night (19-50).

The Camels shot 43.2 percent overall from the field, 50 percent (9-18) in the second half, but made only 4-of-14 threes and 15-of-26 (.577) from the stripe. Campbell committed 24 turnovers, which Savannah State converted into a 21-14 edge in points off miscues.

D.J. Mason pulled down seven rebounds for the Camels, who finished with a 37-31 advantage on the glass.

Campbell jumped to a 12-4 lead in the first 4:05 and led 24-18 after Curtis Phillips scored with 7:39 to play in the opening half. However, the Camels went 1-of-7 from the floor and committed nine turnovers in the last 7:08 of the period.

The Tigers closed the period on an 11-2 run and led 29-26 at the break.

Campbell returns to action Saturday when they host Morgan State at 4:00 p.m.

BOX SCORE (PDF)

COURTESY CAMPBELL UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS