HIGH POINT — Friday night was all about Theo Pinson.
On a night already special to the Wesleyan basketball standout, he showed up in the biggest way possible. Pinson scored 24 and led the Trojans to a 59-46 win over visiting High Point Christian.
Before the game, Pinson was honored as the city of High Point’s first McDonald’s All-American. During the game, Pinson’s 12 fourth-quarter points were the deciding factor in the rivalry game.
“Tonight was a great night for Theo,” said Wesleyan coach Keith Gatlin, a McDonald’s All-American himself when he played at Greenville Conley. “He’s had us on his back all year and tonight was no exception.”
To go with Pinson’s 24, the North Carolina signee added two blocks and eight rebounds.
However, no points were bigger than the two that came on Pinson’s dunk that came with 2:29 remaining in the fourth quarter.
People are also reading…
The dunk not only put Wesleyan up 52-42, it drew a foul and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.
“I know the fans wanted this win bad,” Pinson said. “I played for them and for the team and for the win tonight.”
Coming into the game, High Point Christian was 18-3 and had a home win over the Trojans — a game in which Pinson was held to 11 points.
“When I play in games like this, I always remember what my mom tells me,” he said. “Let the game come to you, she says.”
Another thing that went much better for the Trojans (17-9) this time was their defense. They held Joey McLean to 13 points after he scored 19 in the first meeting.
Wesleyan did struggle in the third quarter, when it was outscored 11-3.
“I told the boys that we couldn’t play to the crowd,” Gatlin said, “and we came back in a big way in the fourth quarter.”
Contact Henry Molski at 373-7062.
High Point Christian 11 13 11 11 –
46 Wesleyan 13 18 3 25 –
59
High Point Christian (18-4) — Joey McLean 13, Casey Penland 9, Michael Provenzano 6, Stevie Williams 5, Brayden Masten 4, Ben Robertson 4, Malik Wright 3, Alvah Phillip 2.
Wesleyan (17-9) — Theo Pinson 24, Michael Buckland 11, Donovan Gilmore 11, Deshaunte Carelock 8, JaQuel Richmond 3, Jalen Johnson 2.