HIGH POINT, N.C. - Bridgewater College tipped off its basketball season Saturday night and the Eagles lost to Division I opponent High Point University, 83-63, in an exhibition contest.
The Eagles played the Panthers on nearly even terms in the second half. Bridgewater trailed 46-28 at the break and was outscored by just two points in the final 20 minutes of play.
The Eagles kept the deficit under 10 points for the first 11 minutes, trailing the Panthers 28-19 with 9:01 left in the first half. The Eagles then went scoreless for the next six minutes and High Point took control, opening up a 36-19 lead with 3:42 left in the half.
Kyle Hammond was the lone Bridgewater player in double figures as he hit 5-of-7 shots to finish with 13 points. Three Eagles - Justin Brake, Cody Griffith and freshman Ronnie Thomas - each chipped in with nine points. Thomas also added a team-high four assists.
Nine freshmen saw action in the game for Bridgewater and several made solid contributions. In addition to Thomas, Rashaad Moore scored seven points, Tavis Stapleton scored five and Daniel McClain pulled down six rebounds.
The Eagles battled the Panthers to a near standoff on the glass as High Point held a slim 46-42 rebounding edge. Rick Maloney paced the Eagles with seven rebounds.
The Eagles open their season on Nov. 15 when they travel to Averett University in Danville, Va.
