The USC Salkehatchie Indians went in today's Region X opening round game against Clinton Jr. College with an over-all record of 15-15 and 7-5 in Region play. Their regular season play earned them the #2 seed in the tournament.The Indians would jump out to an early 6-0 run the Golden Bears would get the lead at the 16:14 mark in the first half and never look back.
The Golden Bears would extend their to as much as 10-points in the first half. Freshman Chris Rhodes would sink several 3-pointers to pull the Indians within 6-points right before the half. The score at half-time was Clinton Jr. College 44, USC Salkehatchie 37.
After the break, the Indians went on 6-0 run to tie the game on another Chris Rhodes 3-pointer, 44-44.
With 12:10 remaining, Clinton would again go up by 10-pointers, 58-48.
In one last run, the Indians pulled within 4-points with 3:00 remaining but E.J Mills again came up big for the Golden Bears, hitting his 6th 3-pointer of the night.
Clinton Jr. College would never look back and advance to the semi-finals with a 83-76 win over the Indians.
"We had a pretty good year, we had our ups and down for sure. I wish we would have done some things differently but it is what it is. I will say that we were missing that team leader, we never had one come forward all year. I have told my returning guys, they have to step up and become leaders on the court and off. I want to thank Mrs. Jane Brewer our athletic director and again Dean Ann Carmichael for all of her support. We will come back and do it again next season." said USC Salkehatchie head coach Travis Garrett.
