The USC Salkehatchie Indians were glad to be back at home after twelve straight games on the road but facing the #19 team in the NJCAA, Middle Georgia College was not a dream come true for Indians head coach Travis Garrett.
"They are a very good basketball team, they have proven in their first ten games of the season, they are ready to play. The come in tonight's contest with a 9-1 and we will have to bring our A game if we expect to compete," said Coach Garrett.
In the first half, the Indians lead from the opening tip-off through much of the half.
Middle Georgia would retake the lead with under a minute as they lead the Indians at the half, 34-30.
In the second half Middle Georgia would struggle to find a rhythm against the Indians defense early and it wouldn't get much better throughout the half.
The Indians managed to pull within a point 54-53 with 8:00 remaining but after that Middle Georgia extended it's lead by seven with 1:07 left.
Middle Georgia would go on to earn their 10 victory on the season by a final of 74-65.
Middle Georgia head coach Scott Moe said after the victory, "USC Salkehatchie pushed us tonight and we really needed that after the long holiday layoff. I told my guys when you are ranked, everyone is going to be gunning for you."
The Indians fall to 5-10 on the season.
"I said before the game we would have to bring our best and we did for a while in the contest. We have to learn how to close out games and take good quality shots. We have two more non-region games to get ready and then we will see what we are made of once we start region play," said Coach Garrett.
The Indians will be back in action January 10th at 7:00 pm at home in Walterboro, South Carolina to face Gray Military Academy.
