MISENHEIMER, N.C. (Feb. 27, 2025) --Five Falcons scored in double digits as Pfeiffer advanced to the USA South Championship game after throttling the Mary Baldwin Fighting Squirrels 90-64 in a frenzied Merner Gym on Thursday.night.

The Falcons (17-7) had five players score in double figures, led by Justin Gaten, who had 13 points. Alex Cunningham tacked on 12 points and Jaylen Hamilton helped out with a double-double off the bench with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The Pfeiffer offense was very productive from three point land, making 10 threes on 23 attempts. Cunningham was the most prolific shooter for the Falcons, draining two treys in the contest.

Pfeiffer's defense held Mary Baldwin to only 39.7 percent shooting from the field, including 22.7 percent from beyond the arc. The Falcons also limited Quentin Hart to 4-of-15 shooting in the game. The Fighting Squirrels did not have much luck cleaning up their misses on the offensive glass either, as they finished with eight offensive rebounds and managed six second chance points while Pfeiffer cleared 29 defensive rebounds.

How It Happened

After falling behind 14-7, Pfeiffer went on a 13-0 run with 14:22 left in the first half, culminating in a three from Clayton Robinson, to take a 20-14 lead. The Falcons then added three points to that lead by the end of the period and entered halftime with a 42-33 advantage. Pfeiffer did most of its first half damage in the paint, scoring 24 of its 42 points close to the basket.

Following intermission, Pfeiffer kept widening that lead, expanding it to 82-64 before going on an 8-0 run, finished off by Cunningham's three, to grow the lead to 90-64 with 1:45 to go in the contest, The Falcons held onto that lead for the rest of the game for the 90-64 win. Pfeiffer shot well from three-point range in the half, hitting seven shots from deep to score 21 of its 48 points.

Game Notes

» Jaylen Hamilton notched a double-double for the Falcons with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
» The Falcons shot well from three point range, knocking down 10 of 23 long range attempts.
» The Falcons held the Fighting Squirrels to only 39.7 percent shooting from the field.
» Pfeiffer never trailed in the second half on its way to victory.
» The Pfeiffer bench made an impact by adding 45 points to its scoring output.
» Five Pfeiffer players scored 10 or more points.
» Jaylen Hamilton and Daymon Beckwith came off the bench to score 11 points apiece.
» Pfeiffer had a 39-28 edge on the boards in the win.
» Pfeiffer cleaned up on the offensive glass, collecting 10 offensive boards in the game.
» Justin Gaten led the Falcons with 13 points.
» Pfeiffer got a game-high 10 rebounds from Jaylen Hamilton.

Up Next
Top-seeded Pfeiffer will host second-seeded N.C. Wesleyan in the USA South Tournament Championship Game on Saturday, March 1 at 6:00 p.m. in Merner Gym.  The winner will received the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.