HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — High Point cruised to an 80-55 victory over Charleston Southern in a Big South Conference men’s basketball game Wednesday night at Qubein Arena. The Panthers built a commanding 47-25 halftime lead and never looked back, forcing 28 turnovers that led to 32 points. Rob Martin led High Point with 22 points. Jesse Hafemeister scored 21 points for the Buccaneers in the loss. High Point improved to 21-4 overall, while Charleston Southern fell to 11-13. An announced crowd of 3,356 watched the Panthers outscore the Buccaneers 48-20 in the paint and record 21 steals.

HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — The High Point Panthers, one of the nation’s hottest teams, showcased their dominance on both ends of the floor Wednesday night, overwhelming Charleston Southern 80-55 in a Big South Conference men’s basketball game at Qubein Arena. Fueled by a relentless defensive effort that generated a staggering 21 steals and forced 28 turnovers, the Panthers turned a competitive opening few minutes into a decisive rout before a crowd of 3,356. The victory improved High Point’s record to 21-4 overall, while Charleston Southern fell to 11-13. The most important part of the game was a devastating first-half stretch where High Point transformed its defensive pressure into a cascade of easy offense, effectively deciding the contest long before halftime. After Charleston Southern’s Jesse Hafemeister opened the scoring with a 3-pointer, the Buccaneers’ early momentum evaporated under a wave of Panther steals and transition baskets. High Point’s defensive intensity, led by guard Rob Martin and forward Owen Aquino, created chaos. The Panthers recorded 12 steals in the first half alone, converting Charleston Southern’s 16 turnovers before the break into 20 points. This defensive prowess fueled a 25-4 run that turned a narrow 10-8 lead into a commanding 35-12 advantage. During this pivotal sequence, High Point scored on eight consecutive possessions, with six of those baskets coming directly off Buccaneer turnovers, including multiple breakaway layups. Martin, a 5-foot-10 guard from St. Louis, was the catalyst, finishing with 22 points, three assists and a game-high five steals. His backcourt partner, Conrad Martinez, added 13 points and three steals, while the 6-foot-8 Aquino of Madrid, Spain, controlled the paint with 18 points and a block. Braden Hausen of Amarillo, Texas, chipped in 12 points. Charleston Southern, which shot just 42.6% from the field and committed nearly twice as many turnovers (28) as field goals made (20), was led by Hafemeister’s 21 points. Brycen Blaine added 18 points and six assists for the Buccaneers, but also accounted for eight of his team’s turnovers. The statistical disparity told the story of High Point’s comprehensive victory. The Panthers outscored Charleston Southern 32-12 off turnovers, 23-6 on fast breaks, and 48-20 in the paint. High Point also dished out 21 assists on 30 made field goals, exemplifying their offensive efficiency, which registered an offensive rating of 110.3 points per 100 possessions. Conversely, Charleston Southern managed only five assists and posted an offensive rating of just 78.2. The Panthers built a 47-25 halftime lead and never allowed the Buccaneers to mount a serious challenge in the second half, leading by as many as 29 points. The result avenged a narrow 84-82 overtime win by High Point in the first meeting between the teams on Jan. 10 and extended the Panthers’ winning streak to four games. High Point, which entered the game as a 13-point favorite according to sportsbooks, easily covered the spread. The combined score of 135 points fell well under the over/under line of 163.5. The Panthers will look to continue their strong conference season when they host Radford on Saturday. Charleston Southern travels to face South Carolina Upstate the same day.

HIGH POINT, N.C. (Interstat) — A surging High Point team looks to continue its dominant season and avenge its lone conference loss when it hosts a struggling Charleston Southern squad led by one of the nation’s most prolific scorers in a Big South clash Wednesday at Qubein Arena. The Panthers (20-4), who sit atop the conference standings, have won 10 of their last 11 games. Their only blemish during that stretch was a 92-75 loss at Winthrop on Jan. 14. High Point boasts a potent offense, averaging 86.2 points per game, and features a balanced attack led by guard Terry Anderson. Anderson is averaging 21.3 points over his last six contests, including a 31-point performance at Radford on Jan. 23. In the first meeting against Charleston Southern this season, a thrilling 84-82 overtime win on Jan. 10, Anderson contributed 16 points and eight rebounds. The Panthers will need another strong performance to counter Charleston Southern’s A’lahn Sumler. The Buccaneers’ guard has been on a historic scoring tear, averaging 26.3 points per game over his last seven outings. He poured in 35 points against South Carolina Upstate on Jan. 14 and followed with 30 points and nine assists in an overtime loss at Longwood on Jan. 23. Most recently, he scored 26 in a loss to Radford. Sumler was instrumental in the first matchup with High Point, finishing with 19 points and six assists. Charleston Southern (11-12) enters on a six-game losing streak, with five of those defeats coming by six points or fewer, including the overtime loss to High Point. The Buccaneers’ offense runs through Sumler, but their defense, allowing 79.9 points per game, will be tested by the Panthers’ high-powered system. High Point has been nearly unbeatable at home this season, sporting a 10-1 record at Qubein Arena. The Panthers’ defense has also clamped down recently, holding its last two opponents below 70 points. Wednesday’s contest is a rematch of one of the conference’s most exciting games this season and could hinge on whether High Point’s collective strength can contain Sumler’s individual brilliance. A Panthers win would solidify their conference lead, while the Buccaneers are desperate to snap their skid and turn close losses into a signature road victory.