SSU MBB drops opening contest at 'The Show' to Columbia International (S.C.)

KINGSPORT, Tenn. -- The men's basketball program at Shawnee State rallied from an early 11-point deficit to cut the Columbia International men's basketball program's early lead to five midway through the first half, but the Bears ultimately fell to the Rams, 92-69, in a nonconference contest that was held at the MeadowView Conference Resort & Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn. Friday evening.

Shawnee State rallied from an early 11-0 deficit in the contest to close to within 16-11 at the under 10 minute media timeout with 9:53 to play in the opening half, and stayed on Columbia International's heels as Marcos Vazquez supplied six of Shawnee State's first 15 points to help the Bears stay within six, 21-15, with 8:01 to go in the first half of competition. However, the Rams were able to move the lead to double-digits on a 13-4 run afterward, and SSU was unfortunately not able to cut the deficit down from there.

Vazquez, who posted 12 points, two rebounds and a steal in the opening half on 6-of-8 shooting, finished with 18 points, five rebounds and a steal to lead SSU while Donovan Lovelace (13 points, six rebounds), Tre Beard (10 points, seven rebounds, two assists, two steals) and AJ Belton (10 points, five rebounds, 4-of-7 shooting) joined the previously mentioned Vazquez in double-figures.

Damon Charles led the bench with eight points and three rebounds on 3-of-6 shooting in 22 minutes of action while Elkin Ramirez and Theo Blackett added in the final nine bench points, with Blackett scoring his four points on 2-of-4 shooting while adding in a pair of assists to boot.

Shawnee State (3-4) will face St. Thomas, Fla. (3-4) Saturday evening at 5:15 p.m. at the same location as part of the second day of 'The Show.' St. Thomas tipped off against Milligan, Tenn. at 9 p.m. in Kingsport as one of the final Day 1 games of 'The Show.'