Box Score

BELMONT, N.C. - For the first time since 2010, the Pfeiffer men's basketball team will host a Conference Carolinas Tournament game as the Falcons clinched the #4 seed with a 71-60 win over Belmont Abbey on Tuesday night. The Falcons (15-11, 11-9 CC) win, coupled with a loss by Lees-McRae at King, clinches a home game on Saturday against the Bobcats at 7 p.m. 

Andrew Guerrero scored a career-high 23 points and went 5-for-8 from long range to help secure home court advantage for the Conference Quarterfinals. AJ Clark added 16 points and Mike Smith finished with 11 as the Falcons will host a tournament game for the first time since beating Queens 112-93 on March 2, 2010.

Following the victory, Head Coach Jeremy Currier was pleased.

 "I am so proud of our players," said Currier. "They have become a true team that cares about each other and are willing to go the extra mile. They have worked so hard this season on the defensive end, and we have had so many guys step up on different nights."

The Crusaders (2-26, 1-19) trailed from the opening basket as the Falcons were determined to play one more game inside Merner Gym. Guerrero scored 11 first half points and Pfeiffer shot 57.1 percent as the lead swelled to as much as 10 points. A basket by Guerrero just before the first half buzzer put Pfeiffer up 32-22 heading into the break.

Guerrero's three pointer at the 11:50 mark of the second half ignited a 10-2 run that pushed the lead to 56-37 with just under nine minutes to play. The Crusaders cut the lead to 11 points but Pfeiffer answered with a 12-3 run to regain a 20 point advantage. Over the final 2:18, Belmont Abbey chipped away at the lead but were unable to get within single digits.

Pfeiffer held Belmont Abbey to just 20 percent shooting in the first half and 33.3 percent for the game. The Falcons held a 30-14 advantage in points in the paint and a 25-10 lead in bench points. Pfeiffer also dominated the rebounding battle, grabbing 43 boards compared to 26 for the hosts.

Pfeiffer shot 51.1 percent from the field and went 9-for-15 from behind the arc, including a 6-for-8 performance in the second half. De'Vonte Jenkins pulled down a game-high eight rebounds and the duo of Rob Folk and Silvere Aluko combined for five blocks and 11 rebounds.

The win sets up a rematch of last Saturday's home game against Lees-McRae. The first two games of the season between the Falcons and the Bobcats have been memorable. On Jan 17 in Banner Elk, Lees-McRae came away with a 111-101 win in triple overtime. Three days ago, Pfeiffer came away with a 75-67 win after scoring the final 12 points of the game. 

Currier and his Falcons are looking forward to that familiar home court advantage.

"These guys have put a lot of effort into bringing playoff basketball back to Misenheimer, and we hope that we can have the same home court advantage Saturday night that we have had all season. We have been really good at home second semester, and a lot has to do with the Merner being packed every game."