The Citadel’s Slow Start Leads to Defeat Against Houston Christian
In a competitive matchup, the Citadel faced a challenging defeat against Houston Christian, losing 72-65 on November 26. A crowd of 1,014 spectators witnessed the event at McAlister Field House. Houston Christian forward Demarco Bethea shone during the game, scoring 14 points and asserting dominance in the paint.
The Game Overview
The game started poorly for The Citadel, which fell behind by as much as 14 points during the first half. Despite the rough start, the Bulldogs fought back, narrowing the gap to just three points at halftime, 35-32. However, a swift 10-2 run from Houston Christian at the beginning of the second half reestablished their double-digit lead.
Key Performances
- Demarco Bethea: 14 points, 7 for 7 shooting
- Braxton Williams (The Citadel): Season-high 20 points, 5 of 12 from three-point range
- Christian Moore (The Citadel): 17 points
The Bulldogs managed to tie the game at 60 with 5:42 remaining, courtesy of Williams’ free throws. Unfortunately for The Citadel, this would be their last push against a resilient Huskies team.
Statistical Highlights
- The Citadel shot 10 of 11 from the free-throw line, marking their best performance at the line this season.
- The team committed nine turnovers after an initial struggle that saw them have four turnovers in their first six possessions.
- Forward Sola Adebisi missed his second consecutive game due to a knee injury. He was averaging 9.6 points and leading the team with 6 rebounds per game.
Coaching Insight
The Citadel’s coach, Ed Conroy, reflected on the team’s performance, stating, “We dug ourselves a hole in the opening minutes of the game. We didn’t show the energy or the effort that is expected in this basketball program — and that’s on me.” He acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing that adjustments will be made going forward.
With a record of 2-5, The Citadel aims to bounce back from this defeat as they refocus on their upcoming games. The challenge lies in improving their starts and maintaining momentum throughout the game.
